Station replaces ‘profane’ message with carbon tax jab
A Spruce Grove gas station owner who was asked to take down a “profane” anti-NDP sign has replaced it with a sign targeting the carbon tax.
The Tempo owner’s new sign reads “NDP Carbon Tax Hurts All.”
The original sign took aim at Premier Rachel Notley’s NDP as well as at Justin Trudeau’s Liberal federal government, displaying the words “F**K NDP/Trudeau.”
The owner changed the wording Wednesday after he was asked to do so by Federated Co-operatives Ltd., which owns and licences the Tempo brand.
“Yesterday, Gas King Gas 4 Cash, an independent business in Spruce Grove, Alta., with a marketing agreement to use the Tempo brand, posted a profane message on an electronic street sign,” Cam Zimmer, communications and public relations manager for Federated Co-operatives, said in a statement Wednesday.
“FCL does not condone or support this message. As soon as notification of this message was received, the independent business owner was asked to remove it immediately. FCL understands that the operator has complied and removed the message from this sign.”
The original sign had gained traction on Twitter from both sides of the aisle.
A Twitter user who goes by the name Susan said the gas station owner is just saying what others think.
Another user who goes by the name of “always vote” did not find the sign in good taste, saying: “Owner of that Tempo gas station franchise in Spruce Grove with obnoxious sign has NO respect for his min. wage employees at frontline receiving all manner of feedback for his inappropriate, non-professional sign. And NO respect for young kids, or their guardians.”
Another Twitter user who goes by Jeremy Woolward had similar sentiments, saying: “Way to keep it classy, Spruce Grove Tempo. But thanks for the FYI as to where I ought not give my business to next time I’m in the area.”
And then there are those who think people are making a mountain out of a molehill; it’s a gas station, after all.
“Calm down everyone, it’s a TEMPO station in Spruce Grove Where no one voted for either FFS. I imagine TEMPO corporate might have something to say about it though,” Eye Rolling Champion tweeted.
The owner of the Tempo station did not respond to a request for comment.