We did it! For the first time in Canadian history, a notable Canadian woman will be featured on the face of one of our bank notes. Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced on December 8, 2016 that he selected civil rights icon Viola Desmond to appear on the front of a new $10 note which will be issued in 2018 by the Bank of Canada. Both Morneau and Status of Women Minister Patty Hadju acknowledged our campaign in their remarks. While the addition of one Canadian woman to the front of our bills doesn’t mean gender equality on our notes, this is a significant step forward and I’m hopeful that another female historical figure will be added soon. The announcement was made in an event at the Canadian Museum of History. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend, and honoured to meet members of Viola Desmond’s family – including her sister Wanda Robson. It was an emotional day. The selection of Viola Desmond is part of a major money makeover for Canada. Former prime minister Sir John A. Macdonald will be moved from the $10 bill to a higher denomination, and Sir Wilfrid Laurier will be moved up from the $5. While the Queen will continue to be on the face of the $20 bill, Sir Robert Borden and William Lyon Mackenzie King will disappear from the $100 and $50 bills. Which means the Bank of Canada will be looking for a notable Canadian to celebrate on the face of the $5 bill. When Status of Women Minister Patty Hadju was asked if that note would also feature a Canadian woman, she indicated “I would think it would be good to have more, and to have a diversity of women that shows their contributions to Canada.” Thanks again for being part of this long campaign to get a Canadian woman celebrated on our bank notes. Together, we made history. Let’s continue to be vocal about the need to recognize the contributions of men and women equally. Women hold up half the sky, and should hold up half the bank notes.