Order Authorizing the Issue of Two Two-dollar Commemorative Circulation Coins Specifying the Characteristics and Determining the Designs (CN Tower): SOR/2025-257
Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 159, Number 26
Registration
SOR/2025-257 December 5, 2025
ROYAL CANADIAN MINT ACT
Order Authorizing the Issue of Two Two-dollar Commemorative Circulation Coins Specifying the Characteristics and Determining the Designs (CN Tower)
P.C. 2025-889 December 5, 2025
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 Act footnote 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, the inscriptions “CHARLES III” and “D G REX” to the left and right of the effigy, respectively, and the inscription “2026” centred at the bottom,
- (ii) the reverse impression of which is to depict,
- (A) on the inner core of the coin, layered over a pattern of hash marks, the CN Tower in black and white; a historical skyline of downtown Toronto in black behind the CN Tower; a contemporary skyline of downtown Toronto in white and dark blue behind the historical skyline; a light blue sky with dark blue radial lines behind the contemporary skyline; the inscription “50 YEARS ANS” in black and white superimposed over the sky; and light blue water below the CN Tower featuring a dark blue reflection of the CN Tower and the historical skyline, 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 “CANADA” superimposed over a historical skyline of downtown Toronto on the left of the ring; the inscription “2 DOLLARS” superimposed over a contemporary skyline of downtown Toronto on the right of the ring; two security marks each consisting of a maple leaf within another maple leaf within a circle at the bottom of the ring; the inscriptions “LA TOUR”, “CN” and “TOWER” between the two security marks; and the artist’s initials “CW” to the right of the right-hand security mark, 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, the inscriptions “CHARLES III” and “D G REX” to the left and right of the effigy, respectively, and the inscription “2026” centred at the bottom,
- (ii) the reverse impression of which is to depict,
- (A) on the inner core of the coin, the CN Tower; a historical skyline of downtown Toronto behind the CN Tower; a contemporary skyline of downtown Toronto behind the historical skyline; a sky with radial lines behind the contemporary skyline; the inscription “50 YEARS ANS” superimposed over the sky; and water below the CN Tower featuring a reflection of the CN Tower and the historical skyline, 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 “CANADA” superimposed over a historical skyline of downtown Toronto on the left of the ring; the inscription “2 DOLLARS” superimposed over a contemporary skyline of downtown Toronto on the right of the ring; two security marks each consisting of a maple leaf within another maple leaf within a circle at the bottom of the ring; the inscriptions “LA TOUR”, “CN” and “TOWER” between the two security marks; and the artist’s initials “CW” to the right of the right-hand security mark, 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 commemorating the 50th anniversary of the opening of the CN Tower. The two two-dollar coins have one shared design that will be produced in a coloured version enhanced with glow-in-the-dark technology and a version without colour.
Background
Around 1950–1970, Toronto’s population more than doubled, and this growth fostered a reconsideration of the city and its place in Canada and the world. What began as a relatively modest requirement — a tower sufficiently tall to enable the broadcasting of telecommunications signals without interference from the city’s many new and growing skyscrapers — became an opportunity to broadcast not only Toronto (and Canada’s) economic power and engineering prowess, but also the transformation of Toronto as Canada’s largest and most dynamic city.
Beginning in February 1973, the CN Tower’s construction was undertaken by over 1 500 workers working in 24-hour shifts, five days a week. It was completed in April 1975, and the CN Tower officially opened to the public in June of the following year. It stood as the world’s tallest structure for nearly 35 years, and remains one of Canada’s most iconic landmarks and a symbol of national pride.
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 commemorating the 50th anniversary of the opening of the CN Tower. The coins provide a widely accessible means through which the Canadian population may learn more about and engage with the story of the CN Tower.
Description
The two two-dollar coins feature the same design in versions with and without colour. The coloured version includes glow in the dark accents. The design’s inner core depicts the CN Tower set against rays of light and the downtown Toronto skyline, both as it appeared in 1976 and as it appears now. The inscriptions “50 YEARS ANS” also appear on the coin. On the outer ring’s left- and right-hand sides appears a duplicate of the historical and contemporary views of the Toronto skyline pictured on the inner core, in addition to the inscriptions “LA TOUR,” “CN” and “TOWER.” The outer ring also bears the inscriptions “2 DOLLARS” and “CANADA,” as well as the artist’s initials, “CW.”
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 2026 commemorative coin program began in 2024.
Quantitative market research was conducted on the theme between March 11 and 31, 2025, through an online survey sent to a nationally representative sample consisting of 3 099 respondents over the age of 18 and residing in Canada. Ninety-eight per cent of respondents indicated that the design is appealing, suggesting broad support for the coins.
In addition, Mint officials worked closely with the CN Tower and Canada Lands Corporation to develop the coin design.
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.
Indigenous engagement, consultation and modern treaty obligations
Following the completion of the assessment of modern treaty implications, no adverse impacts on potential or established Indigenous or treaty rights, which are recognized and affirmed in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, were identified.
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 story of a national icon and the symbol of national pride that stood as the world’s tallest freestanding structure for over three decades.
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 and economic assessment is not required.
Gender-based analysis plus
While the Mint endeavours to feature topics broadly representative of Canadian diversity and our shared history through its commemorative circulation coins, this theme does not have significant gender-based implications. 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 the CN Tower’s official anniversary in June 2026. 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