Nellie McClung is the woman most Canadians would like to see on a Canadian banknote, according to a recent survey by the Angus Reid Institute. The survey also revealed that 80 per cent of Canadians agreed there should be at least one woman featured on the front of a Canadian bank note (along with Queen Elizabeth II).
These questions and answers are motivated by a contest announced on March 8th this year. On International Women’s Day, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Finance, Bill Morneau, responded to a petition started by historian and author Merna Forster, to have Canadian heroines featured on our banknotes.
an independent advisory council settled on a list of 12 names. After conducting a public opinion survey of their own and consulting historical experts, the council will narrow the list down again to three to five names. Finance Minister Bill Morneau will make the final decision.
“Never underestimate the power of a woman.”
The Bank of Canada then created an advisory council that narrowed the selection having receiving more than 18,000 submissions during the public call for nominations. To be eligible, the nominees had to have been born in Canada, and died at least 25 years ago. Over 500 suggestions were registered by the April 11th deadline. Forster, who is on the advisory council, was delighted with the turn of events after years of working on the cause.
“Let’s catch up to Australia and Sweden. And I was thrilled to read that the Bank of Scotland recently announced that two new notes will celebrate author Nan Shepherd and scientist Mary Somerville.” Forster wrote in response to a facebook enquiry.
The advisory council decided on a list of 12 names, following a public opinion survey of their own and consultation with historical experts. The council will narrow the list down again, and Finance Minister Bill Morneau will make the final decision.
McClung is very strong contender, She has great support in western Canada where she lived and worked most of her life. Born in 1873 in Ontario, the family moved to Manitoba when she was seven. She grew up to be a gifted orator, an author of several books, and mother to five children. She was a tireless campaigner for the rights of women, particularly those living in poverty. It was McClung who said, “Never underestimate the power of a woman.”
When people were resistant and fearful of increasing women’s rights in early 20th century Canada, Nelly McClung could calm “these fears with reasonable discussion, personal charm, irrepressible humour, and her fanciful hats.” according to Historica Canada.
“Does the word ‘Persons’ in Section 24 of the British North America Act, 1867, include female persons?
Were she to be chosen, it would actually be McClung’s second appearance on a banknote. In 2004 she was featured, among the women known as the ‘Famous Five‘ when they were on the back of our fifty dollar bill, along with Therese Casgrain, until 2011 when their images were replaced by that of an icebreaker.
The Famous Five were the women who organized and worked for the rights of women and girls in Canada, and in posing their simple question, they changed history: “Does the word ‘Persons’ in Section 24 of the British North America Act, 1867, include female persons?
Their petition was was filed on August 27, 1927, and on 24 April 1928 it was decided that indeed it did; women could then be appointed to the Senate. It has been a long and consistent fight to ensure further rights for women in Canada. In the province of Quebec it was only in 1940 that women were finally granted the right to vote, after the rest of the country had made the change back in 1918.
As for future Canadian banknotes, Quebec politician Therese Casgrain, aeronautical engineer Elsie MacGill, Anne of Green Gables author Lucy Maud Montgomery, artist Emily Carr and black activist and businesswoman Viola Desmond rounded out the top six choices, and with a growing awareness and demand for parity, perhaps we’ll see these worthy women on other banknotes, eventually.
For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.