We saw Viola Desmond, the first black woman ever on Canadian paper currency, in 2016 and now Canadians get to choose the face of the $5 bill.
For nearly 50 years we have seen Sir. Wilfrid Laurier PM on the $5 note but now the Bank of Canada has asked the people of Canada to choose his replacement, using their online form. [Photo: blackxsrose]
However, there are some stipulations. The Bank has announced the following criteria:
- They are a Canadian by birth or naturalization who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, achievement, or distinction in any field, benefiting the people of Canada, or in the service of Canada.
- They have been deceased for at least 25 years (before March 11, 1995).
- They are not a fictional character.
Some people have taken to Twitter to let us know who they have voted for. Terry Fox, who ran across Canada, from east to west to raise money for cancer research, is looking like a popular choice so far. He was pretty incredible, having had his leg amputated due to the disease. He does fit the criteria as he passed away in 1981 from cancer.
I chose Terry Fox. He started out in my home town. I watched on a little TV in my hospital room — I nominated a #bankNOTEable Canadian for the new $5 bill. Have you? https://t.co/Ns89MxVGOW
— Shane Sullivan (@bcshanes) January 30, 2020
Another person has suggested Jeanne Mance, who lived in the 17th century:
I nominated Jeanne Mance (notable nurse, co-founder of Montreal) as the #bankNOTEable Canadian for the new $5 bill. Have you nominated someone? https://t.co/XVKhSeSuyq
— Cheryl Armistead (@ArmisteadCheryl) January 29, 2020
In 2018 we saw the introduction of the new $10 note, which featured civil rights activist Viola Desmond – her sister, Wanda, was there to see the announcement, which was a lovely moment.
It marked a huge, social leap for Canada, as she was the first black woman to ever featured on a Canadian bank-note and now Canadians have the opportunity to make their mark on Canada’s history again.