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Hilroy exercise books launch without Newfoundland and Cape Breton on cover

New Hilroy Canada notebooks feature a Canadian map that omits Newfoundland and Cape Breton, prompting complaints from teachers and residents.

Hilroy Canada’s latest exercise book design displays a Canadian map that excludes both Newfoundland and the Cape Breton peninsula. The oversight was noticed by educators like Victor Aucoin, who described it as “a sin” and said he will advise parents to file complaints. Residents and other teachers, including Johnathan Goodyear, Rose Wilkinson and Dace Gruchy, criticized the omission as disrespectful and potentially harmful to students’ understanding of national geography.

Aucoin said he will contact the publisher, ACCO Brands, to demand the books be withdrawn. ACCO Brands has not provided a comment as of publication. The controversy highlights sensitivities around regional representation in educational materials.

Why it matters

Missing provinces on school supplies can undermine regional identity and mislead students about Canada's geography.

In this story

Hilroy exercise booksmap omissionNewfoundlandCape Bretoneducational suppliesregional representationstudent geography
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