Order Authorizing the Issue of Two Two-dollar Commemorative Circulation Coins Specifying the Characteristics and Determining the Designs (The Royal Canadian Legion): SOR/2025-258
Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 159, Number 26
Registration
SOR/2025-258 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 (The Royal Canadian Legion)
P.C. 2025-890 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 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, the inscription “CANADA” centred at the top, the inscriptions “CHARLES III” and “D·G·REX” to the left and right of the effigy, respectively, and the inscription “2 DOLLARS” 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, an adaptation of the crest of The Royal Canadian Legion, with the inscription “MEMORIAM·EORUM·RETINEBIMUS” in white on a brown banner partially surrounding a red maple leaf with blue veins in front of a white background and with a blue semi-circle beneath the maple leaf; and, superimposed over the crest, the black silhouettes of a parent next to a child who is handing a poppy to a Legionnaire, 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 inscriptions “THE ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION” and “100 YEARS/ANS” on the left of the ring; the inscriptions “LA LÉGION ROYALE CANADIENNE” and “1926–2026” 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; a poppy between the two security marks; and the artist’s initials “VP” above and 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 inscription “CANADA” centred at the top, the inscriptions “CHARLES III” and “D·G·REX” to the left and right of the effigy, respectively, and the inscription “2 DOLLARS” centred at the bottom,
- (ii) the reverse impression of which is to depict,
- (A) on the inner core of the coin, an adaptation of the crest of The Royal Canadian Legion, with the inscription “MEMORIAM·EORUM·RETINEBIMUS” on a banner partially surrounding a maple leaf and with a semi-circle beneath the maple leaf; and, superimposed over the crest, the silhouettes of a parent next to a child who is handing a poppy to a Legionnaire, 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 inscriptions “THE ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION” and “100 YEARS/ANS” on the left of the ring; the inscriptions “LA LÉGION ROYALE CANADIENNE” and “1926–2026” 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; a poppy between the two security marks; and the artist’s initials “VP” above and 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 to honour the 100th anniversary of The Royal Canadian Legion. The two two-dollar coins have one shared design that will be produced in a version with colour and a version without colour.
Background
The Royal Canadian Legion was formed through the amalgamation of organizations created to support First World War veterans in the period following demobilization. In the century since, the Legion has continuously assisted veterans, their families and their communities, while its legacy of promoting the significance of and advocating for Remembrance has ensured a shared understanding of the significance of the national contributions of those who have served Canada in a military capacity.
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 honouring the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion. The coins will recognize the Legion’s century of work supporting veterans, their families and communities, as well as their role advocating for the significance of Remembrance and honouring those who have served Canada in a military capacity.
Description
The two two-dollar coins feature the same design in versions with and without colour. The design depicts, on the inner core, a child and their parent giving a poppy to a legionnaire, with an adaptation of the official crest of the Royal Canadian Legion in the background. On the outer ring appears a poppy, and “VP,” the artist’s initials. On the outer ring are inscribed: “THE ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION,” “LA LÉGION ROYALE CANADIENNE,” “100 YEARS/ANS” and “1926–2026.”
Regulatory development
Consultation
The Mint welcomes the public to submit ideas for coin themes and design through its web site. Development of the design for the Mint’s 2026 commemorative coin program began in 2024.
Quantitative market research was conducted March 11 to 31, 2025, through an online survey sent to a nationally representative sample consisting of 3 099 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 coins.
In addition, Mint officials worked closely with the Royal Canadian Legion 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. The 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 help the Canadian population learn more about the Royal Canadian Legion and its role in supporting veterans, their families and their communities.
As commemorative 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 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 are expected to launch in the summer to coincide with the 2026 Dominion Convention of the Royal Canadian Legion. 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