Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that in 2018, Canadian currency will feature an iconic Canadian woman for the first time.
The Bank of Canada will undertake a public consultation process to select the woman to be featured on the first bank note of the next series.
“In our country's nearly 150 year history, women, with the notable exception of the Queen, have largely been unrepresented on our banknotes,” said Finance Minister Bill Morneau. “In 2018, we will bring real change to a new generation of women who will carry with them constant reminders that they are not only Canada’s future, but a celebrated part of our history.”
The Bank is inviting the public to nominate women who they feel are deserving of this recognition. From now until April 15th, 2016 Canadians can nominate their woman of choice to the Bank of Canada’s website.
Nomination criteria are as follows:
- The nominee can be any Canadian woman (by birth or naturalization) who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, achievement or distinction in any field, benefiting the people of Canada, or in the service of Canada.
- The nominee must not be a fictional character.
- The nominee must have been deceased for at least 25 years (before 15 April 1991).
At the end of the nomination period, an independent Advisory Council composed of eminent Canadian academic, cultural and thought leaders will then review the submissions. With the help of subject matter experts and additional consultation with the public, the Advisory Council will develop a short list of qualifying candidates for submission to the Minister of Finance.
