The Bank of Canada launched a public consultation today (Jan. 29) to ask Canadians what icon they’d like to see on the next $5 bill.
Nominations will be accepted until Mar. 11 via bankofcanada.ca for candidates who:
- are Canadian by birth or naturalization who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, achievement or distinction in any field that have benefitted Canadians
- have been deceased for at least 25 years (before Mar. 11, 1995)
- are not a fictional character
Earlier this month, when the Bank of Canada governor spoke in Vancouver about changing the image of Sir Wilfrid Laurier on the $5, an online campaign sprung up to have B.C. hero Terry Fox on the bill to recognize his cancer research legacy.
Terry Fox Hometown Run organizer Dave Teixeira suggested having Fox on the banknote would be an appropriate design this year given the annual run in his name marks its 40th anniversary in September.
And Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West said he plans to write a letter to the Bank of Canada in support of having Fox on the $5 bill, originally from the lower mainland community.
“This open call for nominations is another great opportunity to highlight the many stories of heroes, sometimes unsung ones, who have helped shape the Canada we live in today,” Governor Stephen Poloz said in a news release.
“I hope this process sparks conversations and encourages us all to learn more about our great country and its remarkable people.”
The new $5 bill is expected to be in circulation in three or four years.
