As the upcoming school year draws near, parents and students are shopping for new school supplies, raising concerns in Newfoundland and Labrador over a particular classroom essential.
Hilroy Canada’s exercise books, known for featuring a map of Canada on the cover, have sparked controversy with a glossy version that excludes key geographical features such as Newfoundland and Cape Breton.
Upon receiving a book from CBC News, teacher Victor Aucoin initially admired the design but upon closer inspection, questioned the absence of Newfoundland and Cape Breton on the map. Expressing surprise and humor, he remarked that it seemed like these regions did not exist in Canada.
Aucoin emphasized the economic significance of Newfoundland to the country and expressed disappointment over its exclusion from the design, stating that he would not be purchasing these books and encouraging his students’ parents to file complaints with Hilroy.
Unsatisfied with the situation, Aucoin vowed to contact the company and demand the removal of the new exercise books from shelves, deeming the situation unacceptable.
While the timing of the design release remains unclear, CBC News’ attempts to reach the company for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
Johnathan Goodyear, another observer, described the omission of Newfoundland as “crazy” and called for a recall of the exercise books, given the province’s significant contributions to Canada, particularly in the military realm.
Concerns were also raised about the potential negative impact on students’ understanding of the country’s geography due to the exclusion of Newfoundland and Cape Breton on the maps.
Rose Wilkinson emphasized the importance of including Newfoundland on the cover map, expressing worry that many individuals may not recognize the province’s location within Canada due to its size.
Dace Gruchy, initially impressed by the vibrant colors of the new design, criticized the exclusion of Newfoundland, labeling it as disrespectful and underscoring the province’s integral role within Canada.