The PC education critic is using the debate in the House of Assembly on the MUN Act to reignite the conversation around the Ode to Newfoundland.
Controversy was sparked last fall when Memorial University made the decision to drop the Ode from its convocation ceremonies because it does not reference Labrador.
That led to some asking for lyrical changes to the Ode to include Labrador, while others suggested singing the Ode to Labrador at such ceremonies as well.
(Photo via Memorial University Twitter.)
Barry Petten hopes that when his daughter attends convocation at the end of the month, the Ode will be included in the ceremony.
Petten notes that government is responsible for the university’s budget and they hold them accountable on that expenditure. Yet, they cannot question MUN’s board and senate on a decision of that magnitude. He says that goes beyond education and research, saying “that’s who we are as a people.” He says he gets cold shivers listening to the song because of the sense of pride it gives him.
