Chapter 8B: Mathematics Across Canada

The purpose of the December conference was twofold:

It was this observer’s opinion that this conference achieved its purpose—communication among provinces—to a highly enlightening and challenging degree. Mathematics education in Western Canada has been characterized by a northsouth system of communication to such an extent that we did not know of the many exciting experiments now taking place in our own country, especially in Quebec an Ontario. It was my feeling that we, in Western Canada, did not appreciate the fact that Quebec had something to offer us in the way of ideas and assistance with our mathematics program. In addition, Ontario has recently had the exciting experience of having Miss. E. E. Beggs of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate conduct workshops for elementary school personnel from September to December. The reports the Ontario representatives gave of Miss Beggs’ influence were exciting to say the least. The very fact that Ontario school boards were willing to release teachers and administrators for six school days—not weekends or evenings, but school days—says something of their interest in elementary school mathematics and the in-service training of their teaches.