Decision Maker Response
Bill Morneau’s response
Mar 10, 2016 — Minister Morneau Response to Change.org Petition – Bank of Canada: Add Women From Canadian History to Canadian Bank Notes
Thank you for signing this Change.org petition, urging the Bank of Canada to add a woman from Canadian history to a bank note. The advancement of women’s rights and progress has always been propelled by people like you – people who take the time to make a difference.
Women are, and have always been, instrumental in building Canada into what it is today. Yet in our country's nearly 150 year history, women, with the notable exception of the Queen, have been largely unrepresented on our bank notes.
Like you, I’ve never felt that was right, and it’s why very soon after becoming Finance Minister I began discussing the idea with my colleagues and with Governor Poloz at the Bank of Canada.
On International Women’s Day 2016, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and I announced that an iconic Canadian woman will be featured on the first bank note of its next series in 2018 – and you get to pick her.
From now until 15 April 2016, you can visit the Bank of Canada’s website (http://www.bankofcanada.ca/banknoteable/) to submit your nomination.
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 Government.
I invite all Canadians to have their say so that one day, very soon, a new generation of women will carry with them constant reminders that they are not only Canada's future, but a celebrated part of our history.
Thank you to Merna and to all of you for the passion you bring to this cause. Together, we’ll bring real change not just to our money, but to our country.
Bill Morneau
Minister of Finance