Changes coming to Canadian banknotes

In a period of intense confusion in Canadian politics, we learn from the “Fall Economic Statement” (FES) some upcoming changes in our banknotes:

CBC — Peter Zimonjic — https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/fall-economic-statement-five-things-1.7411901 

Terry Fox on the $5

The FES says the federal government is putting Canadian hero Terry Fox on the new $5 bill to honour his Marathon of Hope and his efforts to raise money for cancer research.

"By February 1981, the Marathon of Hope had raised $24.7 million or $1 for every Canadian," the FES says. "His run was interrupted just past the half-way point when the cancer reached his lungs, and ultimately took his life.

"Through his efforts, the 22-year-old showed Canadians the difference that an ordinary person could make through sheer willpower and determination."

Former Liberal prime minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier will be moved from the $5 bank bill to the next version of Canada's $50 bill.

No doubt these will be vertical banknotes.

I still remember Terry Fox. I believe I still have the stamp that issued in his honour. Pity that he only managed to make it to Toronto or Ontario.

He had to give up just outside Thunder Bay in NW Ontario.

We already had a commemorative (and circulating!) dollar for the 25th of his marathon.

Canadian Coin News, not surprisingly, is reporting the news as well which will certainly make it in the next issue.

EDIT — The Bank of Canada's relevant page was quietly updated:

Bank of Canada — The next bank NOTE-able Canadian

On May 6, 2023, the Government of Canada announced that the next $20 bank note will feature a portrait of the reigning monarch, His Majesty King Charles III. The back will continue to feature the Canadian National Vimy Memorial.

 

The Bank is implementing the Government of Canada’s plans and is proceeding with the redesign of the $20 note.

 

On December 16, 2024, the Government of Canada announced that a portrait of Terry Fox will feature on the new $5 note.

ahkai

I still remember Terry Fox. I believe I still have the stamp that issued in his honour. Pity that he only managed to make it to Toronto or Ontario.

Kai, Terry Fox is commemorated on the reverse of a circulating commemorative 1 Dollar coin as well.

Aidan.

Yes — I provided a link to it, above.

One thing that nobody has wondered about (so far as I know) is what will happen with the current occupier on the front of the $50 note, W. L. MacKenzie King. 

I suppose he will disappear from our banknotes altogether. I'm actually a little surprised that Laurier will be moved rather than removed, since the new series in progress is themed “Bank NOTE-able Canadians” and aims at introducing “other” Canadians who have made a difference.

Interestingly, the page I quoted above has been removed — for now at least. I suppose they're updating it before reposting it.

One thing that nobody has wondered about (so far as I know) is what will happen with the current occupier on the front of the $50 note, W. L. MacKenzie King. 

I'm actually a little surprised that Laurier will be moved rather than removed, since the new series in progress is themed “Bank NOTE-able Canadians” and aims at introducing “other” Canadians who have made a difference.

Personally, I'd like to see all the old “dusty” Prime Ministers removed from our banknotes.  It high time for a change & the more radical a departure from the old conventions, the better (at least IMO). 

Serial_Number_8

Personally, I'd like to see all the old “dusty” Prime Ministers removed from our banknotes.  It high time for a change & the more radical a departure from the old conventions, the better (at least IMO). 

Yes — I agree. Also, if you're going to have a somewhat uniform series (with the exception of the $20 for the monarch), then commit to the change without compromises (again, except for the $20).

It's like the decision makers in Ottawa were just unaware of what was going on with the upgrading of our money. I wouldn't be surprised that they eventually just remove Laurier altogether since they are still working on the $20 anyway. The new $5 will have to wait:

Bank of Canada — Vertical Series — Our Next $5 Bank Note

• The new $5 note will enter circulation only after the issuance of the next $20 note in early 2027. In the meantime, our current $5 note featuring Canada’s first francophone prime minister, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, will continue to circulate.
• Eventually, Sir Wilfrid Laurier will appear on the next version of the $50 note.

Unless they mean Laurier will be on the back of the $50, perhaps with the other PMs in a PM historical theme?? That wouldn't be a bad idea if they're going all to be removed from the front.