Order Authorizing the Issue of Two One-dollar Commemorative Circulation Coins Specifying the Characteristics and Determining the Designs (Klondike): SOR/2021-104
Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 155, Number 11
Registration
SOR/2021-104 May 14, 2021
ROYAL CANADIAN MINT ACT
Order Authorizing the Issue of Two One-dollar Commemorative Circulation Coins Specifying the Characteristics and Determining the Designs (Klondike)
P.C. 2021-394 May 14, 2021
His Excellency the Administrator of the Government of Canada in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Finance, pursuant to sections 6.4 footnote a and 6.5footnote a of the Royal Canadian Mint Act footnote b, authorizes the issue of two one-dollar circulation coins, the characteristics of which are to be as specified in item 2.2 footnote c 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 coins to be as follows:
- (a) a coloured one-dollar coin
- (i) the obverse impression of which 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, the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “D•G•REGINA” to the left and right of the effigy, respectively, the inscription “DOLLAR” beneath the effigy and beading around the circumference of the coin, and
- (ii) the reverse impression of which is to show, at the centre of the top of the outer ring, the inscription “CANADA”, beneath which is to be depicted three individuals panning for gold in a creek, while another stands to the right on the creek's edge, to the right of the creek two trees, a tent and hills, above the creek a security mark consisting of a maple leaf within a maple leaf, within a circle around which are diagonal lines giving the appearance of the sun's rays, and to the left of the creek other hills behind the red and white image for the Moosehide Gathering, and on the bottom of the outer ring the inscriptions “1896”, “KLONDIKE” and “2021”, to the right of which are the artist's initials “JV”; and
- (b) a one-dollar coin
- (i) the obverse impression of which 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, the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “D•G•REGINA” to the left and right of the effigy, respectively, the inscription “DOLLAR” beneath the effigy and beading around the circumference of the coin, and
- (ii) the reverse impression of which is to show, at the centre of the top of the outer ring, the inscription “CANADA”, beneath which is to be depicted three individuals panning for gold in a creek, while another stands to the right on the creek's edge, to the right of the creek two trees, a tent and hills, above the creek a security mark consisting of a maple leaf within a maple leaf, within a circle around which are diagonal lines giving the appearance of the sun's rays, and to the left of the creek other hills behind the image for the Moosehide Gathering, and on the bottom of the outer ring the inscriptions “1896”, “KLONDIKE” and “2021”, to the right of which are the artist's initials “JV”.
REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT
(This statement is not part of the Order.)
Issues
The Royal Canadian Mint (the Mint) seeks to produce two $1 commemorative circulation coins commemorating the 125th anniversary of the start of the Klondike Gold Rush. The two $1 coins would have one shared design that would be produced in coloured and non-coloured versions.
Background
The Mint produces commemorative circulation coins as a means to assist in the promotion of Canada's heritage, as well as Canadian values, culture and history. These special coins engage the Canadian public while raising awareness about topics, stories and events of importance to Canadians.
Objective
The objective of this Order is to authorize the Mint to produce two $1 commemorative circulation coins marking the 125th anniversary of the discovery of gold near present-day Dawson City, Yukon, and the beginning of the Klondike Gold Rush. This event was a critical moment in the socio-economic development of Yukon, prompting it to join Confederation in 1898, and a defining moment in the history of Canada's North. The sudden and rapid influx of settlers had profound and far-reaching implications for the region's Indigenous communities, most notably the disruption of traditional ways of living and dislocation of communities from traditional gathering places. These coins would raise awareness of the significance of the Klondike Gold Rush on the individuals and communities impacted by it, and serve as tangible keepsakes of this transformational moment for Yukon, its inhabitants, and Canada more broadly.
Description
The two $1 coloured and non-coloured coins would feature the same design. The design would depict the four individuals [Keish (Skookum Jim), Káa Goox (Dawson Charlie), Shaaw Tláa (Kate Carmack) and her husband, George Carmack] who participated in the discovery of gold credited with starting the Klondike Gold Rush in August 1896. They are set in a hilled and forested landscape representative of the area. On a hillside appears an image representing the Moosehide Gathering place, where the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation relocated when it was displaced because of the Gold Rush. It has become a critical symbol representing the community's experience. Also on the coin is the word “KLONDIKE” and the dates “1896” and “2021” to denote the anniversary.
Regulatory development
Consultation
This Order was not subject to a prepublication comment period through the Canada Gazette, Part I, because coin designs do not have a regulatory or legislative impact on the Canadian public. However, the Mint welcomes ideas for coin themes and designs submitted by the public through its website.
Quantitative market research was conducted between May 13 and May 28, 2020, through an online survey sent to a nationally representative sample consisting of 2 500 respondents over the age of 18, residing in Canada. Ninety-eight per cent of respondents indicated that the design is appealing, suggesting broad support for the coin.
In addition, Mint officials consulted directly with the following organizations to assess their support, and used their input to drive the creation and development of the recommended design. The organizations listed below provided critical input and expert guidance that has driven who and what appears on the recommended design, as well as ensuring its appropriateness as a representation of the Klondike Gold Rush, and its historical accuracy. All of these organizations have indicated their support for the coin, and the process through which it was developed, which emphasized the need to work closely and continuously with local communities and stakeholders in a collaborative and transparent manner.
- Assembly of First Nations (January 2020)
- Assembly of First Nations, Yukon (January 2020)
- Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation (January 2020 to present)
- Carcross/Tagish First Nation (January 2020 to present)
- Dawson City Museum (February 2020; August 2020)
- Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (Autumn 2020)
- Parks Canada (February 2020; August 2020)
- Canadian Heritage (January 2020)
Modern treaty obligations and Indigenous engagement and consultation
This Order would not impact Indigenous rights and/or modern treaty obligations.
Instrument choice
Pursuant to sections 6.4 and 6.5 of the Royal Canadian Mint Act (the Act), the Administrator in Council may, by order, authorize the issuance 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. This Order is the only instrument choice available under the Act to authorize the issuance of circulation coins and approve their design.
Regulatory analysis
Benefits and costs
The Mint would incur some program costs in issuing these new commemorative coins. No additional costs for Canadians, businesses, or other stakeholders are anticipated.
These coins would communicate the significance of the Klondike Gold Rush on the socio-economic development of Yukon, its wide-ranging implications for the Indigenous communities that experienced it, and its role in driving the broader evolution of what would become Canada's North.
As these coins are available at face value and circulate widely, public demand is high, with many people collecting coins and taking them out of circulation. These special circulation coin programs contribute to the overall success of federal commemorative events and activities. Coins would be distributed through financial institutions with a portion reserved for public coin exchanges.
Small business lens
The small business lens does not apply, as there are no associated impacts on businesses.
One-for-one rule
The one-for-one rule does not apply, as there is no impact on businesses.
Regulatory cooperation and alignment
Given that this Order authorizes the issuance of new commemorative coins, there is no regulatory cooperation or alignment component associated with it.
Strategic environmental assessment
In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals, a preliminary scan concluded that a strategic environmental assessment is not required.
Gender-based analysis plus
No gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) impacts have been identified for this Order.
Implementation, compliance and enforcement, and service standards
Launch event tactics are developed collaboratively with federal and community partners. They may include some or all of the following: a national multimedia advertising campaign, news releases, a public launch event, media relations outreach and public coin exchanges.
Contact
Simon Kamel
Vice-President, General Counsel 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