Vol. 149, No. 13 — July 1, 2015

Registration

SOR/2015-153 June 17, 2015

ROYAL CANADIAN MINT ACT

Order Authorizing the Issue of Circulation Coins of a Two Dollar and Two Twenty-five Cent Specifying the Characteristics and Determining the Design

P.C. 2015-820 June 17, 2015

His Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Finance, pursuant to sections 6.4 (see footnote a) and 6.5 (see footnote b) of the Royal Canadian Mint Act (see footnote c),

REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT

(This statement is not part of the Order.)

Issues

The Royal Canadian Mint (the Mint) wishes to produce one commemorative $2 circulation coin, and two commemorative 25-cent circulation coins featuring designs based on the poem In Flanders Fields. These coins will be part of a coin program honouring all Canadian veterans and current members of the Canadian Forces. Pursuant to sections 6.4 and 6.5 of the Royal Canadian Mint Act, the Governor in Council may, by order, authorize the issue of circulation coins of a denomination listed in Part 2 of the schedule of that Act and determine the design of any circulation coin to be issued.

Background

The Royal Canadian Mint produces commemorative circulation coins as a means to assist in the promotion of Canada, Canadian values, culture and history to Canadians. These special coins raise awareness of celebrations and anniversaries of importance to Canadians and create engagement with the Canadian public.

Objectives

To develop a circulation coin program honouring Canadian veterans and current members of the Canadian Forces by raising awareness of our nation’s military contributions and promoting remembrance.

Description

This Order authorizes the Mint to produce one $2 circulation coin and two 25-cent circulation coins. The 25-cent coins will share a common design, but will be produced in coloured and non-coloured versions.

The $2 coin will depict Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae on the battlefield in the wake of the Second Battle of Ypres in early May 1915, writing the poem In Flanders Fields and surrounded by the symbols featured in the poem — birds, crosses, and poppies.

The 25-cent coins will feature a prominent, natural-looking poppy, an integral symbol of remembrance for Canadians, made famous by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields.

“One-for-One” Rule

This Order does not impose new administrative costs on business. Therefore, the “One-for-One” Rule does not apply.

Small business lens

This Order does not impose new administrative or compliance costs on small business. Therefore, the small business lens does not apply.

Rationale

The 100th anniversary of the First World War (1914–1918), and the 75th anniversary of the Second World War (1939–1945) have been identified as major national commemorations by the Government of Canada. Moreover, these events have been identified as key nation-building milestones by the Interdepartmental Commemorations Committee (ICC) — chaired by the Department of Canadian Heritage — that manages the Government of Canada’s commemorations priorities. Under the ICC’s purview, Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae’s composition of In Flanders Fields has been designated a major milestone of the First World War by the Government of Canada.

The year 2015 will mark the 100th anniversary of Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae’s writing of the poem In Flanders Fields. It is one of the First World War’s most recognized poems and an integral part of Canadian culture. The poem’s striking imagery has served to solidify both the poem and the poppy as enduring and powerful symbols of remembrance for all Canadians.

Because these coins are available at face value and circulate widely, public demand is high with many coins being collected and taken out of circulation. Commemorative circulation coin programs contribute to the overall success of the event being commemorated.

All coins will be distributed through financial institutions.

Contact

Simon Kamel
Interim Vice-President
Corporate and Legal Affairs and Corporate Secretary
Corporate and Legal Affairs
Royal Canadian Mint
320 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0G8
Telephone: 613-993-1732
Fax: 613-990-4665
Email: kamel@mint.ca