Canadian hamlet having second thoughts about 'Land of Rape and Honey' slogan
A hamlet of 3,200 people on the Canadian prairie is reassessing its handle after 55 years of complaints.
Their moniker has been displayed proudly at entrances to the town, "Welcome to Tisdale - Land of Rape and Honey", since 1960 and some residents think it is time to update it.
However, there are many who are proud to call their town the rape capital of Canada, which comes from the fact that fields of rapeseed - a mustard-like plant - surround Tisdale for hundreds of kilometres.
Rapeseed had originally been used only to make industrial oils, but since crop scientists in Canada developed an edible variety, it's now grown and used for cooking around the world and was renamed “canola” (for Canadian oil, low acid).
The town's mayor, Al Jellicoe, said: "We're at that point where we need to change it."
He says his office gets one or two complaints a year from across Canada and the United States and it can be a problem when dealing with businesses.
"Once you explain, it eases things up a bit," says Jellicoe. "But when you're trying to deal internationally or nationally - I don't want to do that every time we entice a business to the area."
Tisdale shopowner, Heather Mievre, said people in the town don't worry about the slogan, saying: "It suited the community back when canola was called rapeseed. Rapeseed was just common. No one thought anything of it at the time."
But, even though she doesn't see the name as offensive, she still thinks Tisdale needs a rethink. "You gotta have some change once in a while," she said.
Town official, Sean Wallace, disagrees saying that the town should stick to its traditions.
He said: “From what I understand a lot of people feel there’s a tradition involved in that. That’s something I can’t fault.”
So, after decades of complaints and growing embarrassment, the hamlet will conduct a survey of its citizens in July.
It's not the first on the subject, that took place in 1992 and there was an approximately 50/50 split.
"The following slogans have been used in the community at one time or another by various organizations or businesses. Which one do you think reflects Tisdale the best?"
A Place to Grow
A Place to Bee
Land of Canola
Honey Land of Rape and Honey
"If you belong to a community group, own a business or are thinking about starting a business, would you promote the current town brand "Land of Rape and Honey" on your marketing materials?
"The Town of Tisdale has had the same brand for nearly 60 years. Considering that organic rapeseed accounts for less than one per cent of crops grown in the region and honey production has decreased significantly, do you believe it is time for Tisdale to update our town brand?"
.
