Hilroy issued an apology for omitting Newfoundland and Cape Breton from the Canadian map on its glossy notebooks, sparking online criticism. The colorful paper exercise books from Hilroy typically feature a map of Canada on their covers, but the glossy versions left out key regions of the country.
In a statement on its Facebook page, Hilroy acknowledged the error and attributed it to a production mistake. The company has halted the distribution of the notebooks and is working to rectify the cover artwork.
ACCO Brands, the parent company of Hilroy, revealed that the flawed notebooks had been on the shelves since the previous year, with customers only recently noticing the oversight. The blunder gained traction on social media, prompting reactions from residents of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham reacted pointedly on Facebook, emphasizing that the omission of his province does not diminish its significance or place on the map. Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston also expressed disappointment, labeling the incomplete map as unacceptable and requesting a corrected version that includes Cape Breton and Newfoundland.
Moreover, the map also appeared to exclude Haida Gwaii, an archipelago near British Columbia. ACCO Brands assured that they are addressing this error as part of their correction process.
Sean Cadigan, a history professor at Memorial University, emphasized the historical sensitivity surrounding Newfoundland’s inclusion in Canadian maps. He acknowledged the mistake as embarrassing for Hilroy but clarified that it likely wasn’t intentional.
The incident has generated significant attention, underscoring the importance of accurate geographical representations, particularly in educational materials like notebooks.
