Bank of Canada announces list of women being considered for banknote

The Bank of Canada has announced alistof 12 iconic Canadian women who could be featured on the first in a new series of banknotesexpected in2018.

The finalists include artist and writerEmily Carr, Inuit artistPitseolakAshoona, and Nellie McClung, who fought for women's suffrage. The list reflectswomen from several occupational fields and periods of history.

The independent advisory council tookonline submissions from the public following an announcement on International Womens'Day inMarch by Prime Minister Justin Trudeauthat it was timeCanadian women appeared on our banknotes.

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The submission process ended April 15 2016, and the advisory council received more than 26,000submissions from the public from which they drew up thelist.

List of 12

Thelistin alphabetical order:

• PitseolakAshoona(c. 1904-1983): An Inuit artist with an international reputation.She is recognized for establishing a modernInuit artform that incorporatedtraditional knowledge.
• Emily Carr (1871-1945):Afamous artist and writernoted for her landscapes of the Pacific coast.
• ThrseCasgrain(1896-1981): An activist and politician who led thewomen's suffragemovement in Quebec and became the first female leader of a political party.
• ViolaDesmond(1914-1965): Ablack businesswoman from Nova Scotiawho famously challengedracial segregationat a film theatre in her home province.
• LottaHitschmanova(1909-1990):A Canadian humanitarian who helped to foundthe Unitarian Service Committee of Canadawhich helped to send aidto Europe during the war.
• E. Pauline Johnson (1861-1913): A poet and writer whose performancesreflectboth English and Mohawk traditions and whois recognized as helping to shapeCanadian literature.
• Elizabeth (Elsie)MacGill(1905-1980): The world's first female aircraft designer. She worked as an aeronautical engineer during the Second World War.
• NellieMcClung(1873-1951): Apolitical activist, teacher, social reformerand politician. She was aleader of the womens' suffrage movement and one of the famous five women who petitioned Britain to have Canadian women declared to be "persons."
• LucyMaudMontgomery (1874-1942): Canadian author best known as the author of Anne of Green Gables.
• Fanny (Bobbie)Rosenfeld(1905-1969): AnOlympian whowon gold in the relay race and silver in the 100 metre dash at the 1928 summer Olympics.
• Gabrielle Roy (1909-1983):French Canadianauthorfamous for The Tin Flute.
• IdolaSaint-Jean (1880-1945): AQuebec journalist, educator and feminist who fought for the women's vote in Quebec.

Outstanding women

To be considered for the new banknote the nominee had to bea Canadian woman, either by birth or naturalization, who demonstrated outstanding leadership, achievement or distinction in any field.The nominees could not befictional characters,andmust have died prior to April 15, 1991.

Each of the nominees have broken or overcome barriers, made a significant change,left a lasting legacy and are seen as inspirational. The criteria in the nomination process reflected each of those values.

"The women who appear on our list should resonate with Canadians and reflect thediversity of Canada. Their achievements must be seen in the context of the time they lived in," the criteria said.

Over 460 of the Canadian women nominated by the public were considered. .

"I am very pleased withthe tremendous response to this campaign from Canadians, which shows just how much they care about who is represented on the banknotes in their wallets," said Governor Stephen S.Poloz.

"I'd also like to thank the advisory council for their hard work in developing this truly impressive list and look forward to the next steps toward a new banknote in 2018," he said.

Next steps

A formal public opinion survey will be held togauge the views of a sample of Canadians regarding the 12 nominees.

The advisory council will use the results of this survey, together with input from historical experts, to develop a shorter list of three to five finalists for submission to Finance Minister BillMorneau, who will ultimatelymake the final decision, in accordance with the Bank of Canada Act.