Canada Saskatchewan promo goes sour
OTTAWA (AFP) - A radio station's attempt to draw Canadian tourists to Saskatchewan backfired when a contest asking Canadians extol the virtues of the vast plains province turned sour -- or bitingly funny.
CKNW in British Columbia, Canada's westernmost province, asked listeners to fill in the blank: "You know you're in Saskatchewan when -- ."
Answers included: "You're grandmother's bunion operation makes the 'People in the News' section of the local paper," "Your prenuptial agreement mentions chickens," and "The homecoming queen is seen driving a swatter." That's a farm implement, in Sakatchewanese.
"There's a humorous side to it, but it's also demeaning to Saskatchewan people," Don Morgan, a member of Saskatchewan's legislative assembly told the Star Phoenix newspaper.
"It's just going to reinforce those perceptions that we're a bunch of hayseed hillbillies in pickup trucks -- old pickup trucks," he lamented.
Fewer than one million people live in the western Canadian province, on some 600,000 square kilometers (230,000 square miles) of mostly farmland dotted with grain elevators under a seemingly never-ending sky.
The bungled tourism campaign comes after the Saskatchewan government spent millions of dollars to resettle former residents, as well as attract foreign investment and new immigrants.
Lawmakers tried to reverse the thousands leaving in search of greener pastures in recent years, leaving behind several forlorn towns.
The prize for the best contest entry is airfare, two nights' accommodation at a hotel and tickets for two to Canada's premier Juno music awards show in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
OTTAWA (AFP) - A radio station's attempt to draw Canadian tourists to Saskatchewan backfired when a contest asking Canadians extol the virtues of the vast plains province turned sour -- or bitingly funny.
CKNW in British Columbia, Canada's westernmost province, asked listeners to fill in the blank: "You know you're in Saskatchewan when -- ."
Answers included: "You're grandmother's bunion operation makes the 'People in the News' section of the local paper," "Your prenuptial agreement mentions chickens," and "The homecoming queen is seen driving a swatter." That's a farm implement, in Sakatchewanese.
"There's a humorous side to it, but it's also demeaning to Saskatchewan people," Don Morgan, a member of Saskatchewan's legislative assembly told the Star Phoenix newspaper.
"It's just going to reinforce those perceptions that we're a bunch of hayseed hillbillies in pickup trucks -- old pickup trucks," he lamented.
Fewer than one million people live in the western Canadian province, on some 600,000 square kilometers (230,000 square miles) of mostly farmland dotted with grain elevators under a seemingly never-ending sky.
The bungled tourism campaign comes after the Saskatchewan government spent millions of dollars to resettle former residents, as well as attract foreign investment and new immigrants.
Lawmakers tried to reverse the thousands leaving in search of greener pastures in recent years, leaving behind several forlorn towns.
The prize for the best contest entry is airfare, two nights' accommodation at a hotel and tickets for two to Canada's premier Juno music awards show in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
