Sask. issues warning to those who use government logo in satirical social media posts

The province has issued a warning to people who use the Saskatchewan government logo in satirical social media posts.

It has become a well-known government slogan, “Growth That Works for Everyone.” When Iain MacDonald used the logo in a social media post critical of the government, he received a cease and desist notice from the government.

“I created essentially a sarcastic meme or joke image about ‘Growth That Works for Everyone’ when clearly it doesn’t and hasn’t been,” he said.

The government notice said, “Attention Iain, the stylized wheat sheaf logos you have used in this post are copyrighted by the Government of Saskatchewan.” It goes on to say, “We are demanding that you cease and desist and remove them.”

MacDonald complied but encouraged others to join in with posts of their own.

“It exploded with people taking it on and retweeting the originals and retweeting that and creating their own,” he said.

The NDP believe the government has no legal grounds for issuing a cease and desist request.

“It’s very silly that the government is prioritizing this. Of course, citizens can make fun of their government, that’s part of a democracy,” said NDP MLA Meara Conway. “So they’re wrong in the law and they’re wrong in terms of their priorities.”

“I was shocked to see that they are expending resources actually trying to take these people on, on social media,” she added.

The government said it holds the copyright to the logo but offered no other immediate response to the controversy.