Order Authorizing the Issue of Two Two-dollar Commemorative Circulation Coins Specifying the Characteristics and Determining the Designs (Daphne Odjig): SOR/2025-39
Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 159, Number 6
Registration
SOR/2025-39 February 26, 2025
ROYAL CANADIAN MINT ACT
Order Authorizing the Issue of Two Two-dollar Commemorative Circulation Coins Specifying the Characteristics and Determining the Designs (Daphne Odjig)
P.C. 2025-164 February 25, 2025
Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Finance, under sections 6.4footnote a and 6.5a 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; on the outer ring, 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 “2025”,
- (ii) the reverse impression of which is to depict,
- (A) on the inner core of the coin, an adaptation of Folk Singer by Daphne Odjig in white, yellow, brown, blue and black layered over a pattern of hash marks, and
- (B) on the outer ring of the coin, two virtual images of a maple leaf between two slanted lines centred at the top; a fisher from The Indian in Transition by Daphne Odjig between the inscriptions “DAPHNE” and “ODJIG” on the left of the ring; the inscriptions “CANADA” and “2 DOLLARS” on the right of the ring; and 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; on the outer ring, 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 “2025”,
- (ii) the reverse impression of which is to depict,
- (A) on the inner core of the coin, an adaptation of Folk Singer by Daphne Odjig, and
- (B) on the outer ring of the coin, two virtual images of a maple leaf between two slanted lines centred at the top; a fisher from The Indian in Transition by Daphne Odjig between the inscriptions “DAPHNE” and “ODJIG” on the left of the ring; the inscriptions “CANADA” and “2 DOLLARS” on the right of the ring; and 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 two-dollar commemorative circulation coins celebrating the life and work of artist Daphne Odjig. The two two-dollar coins have one shared design that will be produced in a version with colour and a version without colour.
Background
Born in 1919, in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, Odjig was one of the most important artists active in Canada during the twentieth century. Odjig’s works were featured in thirty solo shows and fifty group exhibits worldwide. Her pathbreaking art was supported by her advocacy, which changed the perception of Indigenous art and culture in Canada during the second half of the twentieth century.
The Mint produces commemorative circulation coins to promote Canada’s shared history, as well as our shared values and culture. These special coins engage the Canadian population 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 two-dollar commemorative circulation coins celebrating artist Daphne Odjig. The coins provide a widely accessible means through which the Canadian population may learn more about, and engage with Odjig’s art, and the significance of her work in transforming the perception of Indigenous art in Canada.
Description
The two two-dollar coins feature the same design in versions with and without colour. The design’s inner core includes an adaptation of Odjig’s Folk Singer and, on the outer ring, the image of a fisher that appears on her massive 1978 masterpiece, The Indian in Transition, which is among Odjig’s most well known, celebrated and impactful works, represented between the inscriptions “DAPHNE” and “ODJIG.” The outer ring also bears the inscriptions “2 DOLLARS” and “CANADA.”
Regulatory development
Consultation
The Mint welcomes the public to submit ideas for coin themes and designs through its web site. Development of the designs for the Mint’s 2025 commemorative coin program began in 2024.
Quantitative market research was conducted on the theme between June 3–19, 2024, through an online survey sent to a nationally representative sample consisting of 2 501 respondents over the age of 18 and residing in Canada. Ninety-one per cent of respondents indicated that the design is appealing, suggesting broad support for the coins.
In addition, Mint officials consulted directly with subject matter experts, as well as First Nations communities and organizations interested in the commemoration of the topic the designs highlight. All have 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 the Canadian population the opportunity to engage with and learn more about the life and art of Daphne Odjig, and her broader cultural impact and significance.
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 with a portion 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.
Effects on the environment
In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment, 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. This coin would be the first to highlight the life and work of a female First Nations artist. 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. These coins will be launched in the lead up to National Indigenous Peoples Day 2025. 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