A teacher at Montague Consolidated School is turning a debate in the legislature over a provincial animal for P.E.I. into a teaching moment for her students.
Last fall, Edwena Arbuckle’s Grade 5-6 class made a presentation to the Standing Committee on Education and Economic Development in October, requesting the legislature in the Provincial Emblems and Honours Act by naming the red fox P.E.I.’s provincial animal.
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However, Arbuckle and her students were surprised that the issue became such a hot topic in the legislature Tuesday.
“The sentiment with the Grade 5 class was that they’d honestly thought that the legislature would be busy enough with serious matters and issues that concern quality of life, health and education directives,” said Arbuckle.
On Tuesday, Liberal MLA Alan McIsaac introduced an amendment to the act to make the Holstein cow the province’s animal and proceeded to explain at length about why the bovine should be recognized instead of the fox.
Arbuckle, who spoke to The Guardian on Wednesday, said she was able to have discussions with some of the students who were involved with the fall presentation so they would understand what had happened.
They assumed government had more pressing issues to deal with, she said, adding that her instructions to them were not to be dismayed or disheartened, “that this is a democratic process and that they can be quite flattered.
When students asked Arbuckle what they could do about it, she gave some sage advice.
“I said just remember who’s sitting in there. Remember the names, remember the parties, remember that we will be going to another vote, and that’s how you change who you have representing you.”
Montague Mayor Richard Collins said chatter in the coffee shop Wednesday “stated the cow was a joke” and to let the students’ suggestion stand.
“No need to go any further with this, as it gets too complicated the more ideas that spring forth,” Collins said in an email. “The red fox is just fine, so let’s give the students credit for this.”
Arbuckle said she wishes everyone at the legislature good luck and believes they are doing their part to respond to the students’ request.
They’ll be keeping an eye out for what comes next.
“We’re watching with big eyes and the curiosity of foxes.”
