Hilroy issued an apology for excluding Newfoundland and Cape Breton from the Canadian map featured on its glossy notebooks, triggering an online backlash. The well-known pastel-colored paper exercise books by Hilroy typically showcase a map of Canada on their covers, but the glossy versions omitted certain regions of the country.
In a recent Facebook post, the company expressed pride in the map but acknowledged the error caused discomfort. The inaccurate map was attributed to a production mistake, leading the company to halt distribution of the notebooks and initiate corrective measures.
ACCO Brands, the parent company of Hilroy, revealed that the defective notebooks had been in circulation since the previous year, with the public only recently noticing the inaccuracies. This oversight sparked conversations on social media, with residents of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia expressing disappointment.
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham responded sharply on Facebook, emphasizing that no oversight can erase the identity and history of Newfoundland. Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston also condemned the incomplete map, urging the education minister to provide the makers of Hilroy with a corrected map.
Furthermore, the faulty map also excluded Haida Gwaii, an archipelago off the coast of British Columbia. ACCO Brands assured that rectifying this omission is part of their correction strategy.
Sean Cadigan, a history professor at Memorial University, highlighted Newfoundland’s historical significance and the sensitivity surrounding its inclusion on maps. He described the map error as embarrassing for Hilroy, emphasizing the island’s importance since joining Canada in 1949.
Overall, the map blunder has stirred discussions online, prompting a call for accuracy and inclusivity in geographical representations.
