Order Authorizing the Issue of Two Two-dollar Commemorative Circulation Coins Specifying the Characteristics and Determining the Designs (Inuit Nunangat): SOR/2024-105
Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 158, Number 12
Registration
SOR/2024-105 May 27, 2024
ROYAL CANADIAN MINT ACT
Order Authorizing the Issue of Two Two-dollar Commemorative Circulation Coins Specifying the Characteristics and Determining the Designs (Inuit Nunangat)
P.C. 2024-581 May 24, 2024
Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Finance, under sections 6.4footnote a and 6.5footnote a of the Royal Canadian Mint Actfootnote b, authorizes the issue of two two-dollar circulation coins, the characteristics of which are to be as specified in item 1.1footnote c of Part 2 of the schedule to that Act and the diameter of which is to be 28.03 mm, and determines the designs of the coins to be as follows:
- (a) a coloured two-dollar coin
- (i) the obverse impression of which is to depict, on the inner core of the coin, the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Steven Rosati, with the initials “SR” at the bottom right of the effigy on the lapel and, on the outer ring, centred at the top, the inscription “CANADA 2024”, the inscriptions “CHARLES III” and “D·G·REX” to the left and right of the effigy, respectively, and, centred at the bottom of the outer ring, the inscription “2 DOLLARS”,
- (ii) the reverse impression of which is to depict,
- (A) on the blue inner core of the coin, Nuliajuk wearing a brown, black and white atigi and having a grey and black seal’s tail on the left; a brown, black and white walrus above and to the right of Nuliajuk; a black and grey narwhal below and to the right of the walrus; two white and black beluga whales below and to the right of the narwhal; a black and white seal below the narwhal and the beluga whales; and a black and white arctic char below the seal, and
- (B) on the outer ring of the coin, two virtual images of a maple leaf between two slanted lines centred at the top; the inscription “inUiT nUnAngAT” on the left of the ring; four different uluit on the right of the ring; and a traditional Inuit pattern between two security marks each consisting of a maple leaf within another maple leaf within a circle at the bottom of the ring, and
- (iii) the edge of which is to show the inscriptions “CANADA” and “2 DOLLARS”, with a maple leaf before and after the inscription “CANADA”; and
- (b) a two-dollar coin
- (i) the obverse impression of which is to depict, on the inner core of the coin, the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Steven Rosati, with the initials “SR” at the bottom right of the effigy on the lapel and, on the outer ring, centred at the top, the inscription “CANADA 2024”, the inscriptions “CHARLES III” and “D·G·REX” to the left and right of the effigy, respectively, and, centred at the bottom of the outer ring, the inscription “2 DOLLARS”,
- (ii) the reverse impression of which is to depict,
- (A) on the inner core of the coin, Nuliajuk wearing an atigi and having a seal’s tail on the left; a walrus above and to the right of Nuliajuk; a narwhal below and to the right of the walrus; two beluga whales below and to the right of the narwhal; a seal below the narwhal and the beluga whales; and an arctic char below the seal, and
- (B) on the outer ring of the coin, two virtual images of a maple leaf between two slanted lines centred at the top; the inscription “inUiT nUnAngAT” on the left of the ring; four different uluit on the right of the ring; and a traditional Inuit pattern between two security marks each consisting of a maple leaf within another maple leaf within a circle at the bottom of the ring, and
- (iii) the edge of which is to show the inscriptions “CANADA” and “2 DOLLARS”, with a maple leaf before and after the inscription “CANADA”.
REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT
(This statement is not part of the Order.)
Issues
The Royal Canadian Mint (the Mint) will produce two $2 commemorative circulation coins highlighting Inuit Nunangat, the Inuit homeland in Canada. The two $2 coins have one shared design that will be produced in a version with colour and a version without colour.
Background
Inuit Nunangat is the Inuit homeland in Canada, which Inuit have inhabited for millennia. Inuit Nunangat encompasses 40% of the Canadian land area and over 70% of its coastlines. It is composed of Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, Nunavut, and the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. These coins have been created collaboratively by the Mint, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) — the national representational organization for Inuit — and the coins’ four Inuit artists, each of whom represents one of the regions of Inuit Nunangat.
The Mint produces commemorative circulation coins to promote the shared history of people living in Canada, as well as their shared values and culture. These special coins engage people living in Canada while raising awareness about topics, stories and events of national significance.
Objective
The objective of this Order is to authorize the Mint to produce two $2 commemorative circulation coins celebrating Inuit Nunangat. The coins provide a widely accessible means through which people living in Canada may learn more about and engage with the land, people and traditions of Inuit Nunangat.
Description
The two $2 coins feature the same design in versions with and without colour. The design’s inner core represents the story of Nuliajuk — spirit of the sea, connected to marine animals — surrounded by a walrus, a narwhal, two beluga whales, a seal and an arctic char. On the outer ring are four uluit, each of which represents a traditional style ulu from each of the four regions of Inuit Nunangat, and the words “Inuit Nunangat.”
Regulatory development
Consultation
The Mint welcomes the public to submit ideas for coin themes and designs through its website. Development of the designs for the Mint’s 2024 commemorative coin program began in late 2022.
Quantitative market research was conducted on the theme between May 26, 2023, and June 16, 2023, through an online survey sent to a nationally representative sample consisting of 3 100 respondents over the age of 18, residing in Canada. Eighty-seven per cent of these respondents indicated that this was an appropriate theme for a commemorative circulation coin, suggesting broad support. The design was developed by four Inuit artists working with the Mint in consultation with ITK and, through ITK, the four Inuit Treaty Organizations (Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., Makivik Corporation, and Nunatsiavut Government) to ensure it is an appropriate representation of Inuit and Inuit Nunangat. This consultative approach was critical because suitable internet access across Inuit Nunangat was an obstacle to including a representative sample of Inuit in an online survey.
In addition, Mint officials consulted directly with individuals and organizations in the Inuit community, including the four Inuit artists who created the design. Relevant Provincial and Territorial governments have also been made aware of the coins. All indicated their support for the coins.
This Order has been exempted from prepublication in the Canada Gazette, Part I, because changing circulation coin designs has no impact on day-to-day transactions and has always been well received. These coins will perform the same function in trade and commerce and in the same manner as a coin bearing the standard design.
Modern treaty obligations and Indigenous engagement and consultation
The proposal is not expected to impact potential or established Aboriginal or treaty rights, which are recognized and affirmed in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. The design was created through meaningful consultation, as has been detailed above.
Instrument choice
Pursuant to sections 6.4 and 6.5 of the Royal Canadian Mint Act (the Act), the Governor 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 will incur some program costs in issuing these new commemorative coins. No additional costs for Canadians, businesses or other stakeholders are anticipated.
These coins will provide people living in Canada the opportunity to engage with and learn more about the people, art and culture of Inuit Nunangat.
As commemorative coins are available at face value and circulated 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 commemorative events and activities. Coins will be distributed through financial institutions, and a portion will be reserved for public coin exchanges.
Small business lens
Analysis under the small business lens concluded that the Order will not impact Canadian small 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
Through its commemorative circulation coins, the Mint has represented national milestones in the advancement of gender rights, in addition to featuring topics more broadly representative of Canadian diversity and our shared history. Honouring the full breadth of Canada’s diversity will continue to feature prominently in the Mint’s future plans for commemorative circulation coin designs.
Implementation, compliance and enforcement, and service standards
This Order will come into force upon its approval. Upon approval of the Order, the Mint will proceed with a production order to authorize its Winnipeg facility to start production. There are no compliance and enforcement requirements associated with this Order. 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