An 'iconic' Canadian woman will appear on the country's currency by 2018


On International Women's Day, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that an "iconic" Canadian woman will appear on the next series of bank notes, expected for release in 2018.
Through April 15, Canadians can submit their nominations on the Bank of Canada's website. To be considered, the woman must be Canadian by birth or naturalization, and known for her outstanding achievement, distinction, and leadership in any field. Fictional characters will not be considered, and the woman has to have died at least 25 years ago. After all of the nominations are in, an advisory council will sort through them, and send their recommendations on to Finance Minister Bill Morneau.
On Tuesday, Morneau said it was "high time to change," a sentiment echoed by Merna Forster, a historian who has been leading the charge to get a woman on money and called the move "long overdue." "This is an important step, and I hope we can look forward to gender equality on Canadian notes as in Sweden and Australia," she told CBC News. Trudeau did not say which denomination will receive the makeover.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
How will the next pope change the Catholic Church?
Talking Points Conclaves can be unpredictable
By Joel Mathis, The Week US
-
Conspiracy theorists circle again following RFK file release
The Explainer Both RFK and his brother, President John F. Kennedy, have been the subjects of conspiracies
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
7 equestrian activities for when you feel like horsin' around
The Week Recommends These graceful animals make any experience better
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans