Vol. 149, No. 26 — December 30, 2015

Registration

SOR/2015-249 December 11, 2015

ROYAL CANADIAN MINT ACT

Order Authorizing the Issue of a One Dollar Circulation Coin Specifying the Characteristics and Determining the Design

P.C. 2015-1273 December 11, 2015

His Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Finance, pursuant to sections 6.4 (see footnote a) and 6.5 (see footnote b) of the Royal Canadian Mint Act (see footnote c), authorizes the issue of a one dollar circulation coin, the characteristics of which are to be as specified in item 2.2 (see footnote d) of Part 2 of the schedule to that Act and the diameter of which is to be 26.5 mm, and determines the design of the coin to be as follows:

(a) the obverse impression is to depict the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt, with the initials “SB” on the bottom left-hand corner of the neckline and, starting at the top of the coin and going clockwise, are to appear the inscriptions “CANADA”, “D•G•REGINA”, “DOLLAR” and “ELIZABETH II” and beading around the circumference of the coin; and

(b) the reverse impression is to depict a woman and child, circa 1916, with the woman proudly casting a ballot while the child looks on, a lasermark maple leaf within a circle and the artist’s initials “LM” at the bottom right of the design, the inscriptions “WOMEN’S RIGHT TO VOTE”, “DROIT DE VOTE DES FEMMES” and “1916-2016” in three rows at the top right portion of the coin.

REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT

(This statement is not part of the Order.)

Issues

The Royal Canadian Mint (the RCM) wishes to produce a commemorative $1 circulation coin commemorating the 100th anniversary of the beginning of women’s suffrage (right to vote) in Canada. Pursuant to sections 6.4 and 6.5 of the Royal Canadian Mint Act, the Governor in Council may, by order, authorize the issue of circulation coins of a denomination listed in Part 2 of the schedule of that Act and determine the design of any circulation coin to be issued.

Background

The RCM produces commemorative circulation coins as a means to assist in the promotion of Canada, Canadian values, culture and history to Canadians. These special coins raise awareness of celebrations and anniversaries of importance to Canadians and create engagement with the Canadian public.

Objectives

The RCM wishes to produce a commemorative $1 circulation coin to mark the 100th anniversary (1916–2016) of women’s right to vote in Canada.

Description

This Order authorizes the RCM to produce a commemorative $1 circulation coin depicting a woman and a child, circa 1916, with the woman proudly casting a ballot while a child looks on.

“One-for-One” Rule

This Order does not impose new administrative costs on business. Therefore, the “One-for-One” Rule does not apply.

Small business lens

This Order does not impose new administrative or compliance costs on small business. Therefore, the small business lens does not apply.

Rationale

The 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote has been identified as a key milestone of Canada’s sesquicentennial by the Canadian government. Moreover, this event has been identified as priority commemoration by the Interdepartmental Commemorations Committee, chaired by the Department of Canadian Heritage, that manages the Government of Canada’s commemorations priorities. This 1916 milestone was an early step in the path to equality and women’s rights.

Because these coins are available at face value and circulate widely, public demand is high with many coins being collected and taken out of circulation. Commemorative circulation coin programs contribute to the overall success of the event being commemorated.

All coins will be distributed through financial institutions.

Contact

Simon Kamel
Interim Vice-President
Corporate and Legal Affairs and Corporate Secretary
Corporate and Legal Affairs
Royal Canadian Mint
320 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0G8
Telephone: 613-993-1732
Fax: 613-990-4665
Email: kamel@mint.ca