Order Authorizing the Issue of Two One-dollar Commemorative Circulation Coins Specifying the Characteristics and Determining the Designs (Elsie MacGill): SOR/2023-132
Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 157, Number 14
Registration
SOR/2023-132 June 19, 2023
ROYAL CANADIAN MINT ACT
Order Authorizing the Issue of Two One-dollar Commemorative Circulation Coins Specifying the Characteristics and Determining the Designs (Elsie MacGill)
P.C. 2023-579 June 16, 2023
Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Finance, under sections 6.4footnote a and 6.5footnote a of the Royal Canadian Mint Actfootnote b, authorizes the issue of two one-dollar circulation coins, the characteristics of which are to be as specified in item 2.2footnote c of Part 2 of the schedule to that Act and the diameter of which is to be 26.5 mm, and determines the design of the coins to be as follows:
- (a) a coloured one-dollar coin
- (i) the obverse impression of which is to depict the effigy of Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt, with the initials “SB” on the bottom left-hand corner of the neckline, the inscription “2023” above the effigy, the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “D·G·REGINA” to the left and right of the effigy, respectively, the inscriptions “1952” and “2022” separated by four dots arranged in the shape of a diamond beneath the effigy, and beading around the circumference of the coin, and
- (ii) the reverse impression of which is to depict, against a background of a cloudy sky, at the centre of the top of the coin, the inscription “CANADA”, beneath which appears the Maple Leaf Trainer II, beneath which appears a security mark consisting of a maple leaf within a maple leaf within a circle, beneath and to the left of which appears, over a pattern of hash marks, a green, tan, blue and white Hawker Hurricane featuring red and blue markings, beneath and to the right of which appears the inscription “ELSIE MACGILL”, and to the right of which is a portrait of Elsie MacGill holding two sets of blueprints, beneath the blueprints appears the artist’s initials “CW”, and centred at the bottom of the coin, the inscription “DOLLAR”; and
- (b) a one-dollar coin
- (i) the obverse impression of which is to depict the effigy of Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt, with the initials “SB” on the bottom left-hand corner of the neckline, the inscription “2023” above the effigy, the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “D·G·REGINA” to the left and right of the effigy, respectively, the inscriptions “1952” and “2022” separated by four dots arranged in the shape of a diamond beneath the effigy, and beading around the circumference of the coin, and
- (ii) the reverse impression of which is to depict, against a background of a cloudy sky, at the centre of the top of the coin, the inscription “CANADA”, beneath which appears the Maple Leaf Trainer II, beneath which appears a security mark consisting of a maple leaf within a maple leaf within a circle, beneath and to the left of which appears a Hawker Hurricane, beneath and to the right of which appears the inscription “ELSIE MACGILL”, and to the right of which is a portrait of Elsie MacGill holding two sets of blueprints, beneath the blueprints appears the artist’s initials “CW”, and centred at the bottom of the coin, the inscription “DOLLAR”.
REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT
(This statement is not part of the Order.)
Issues
The Royal Canadian Mint (the Mint) will produce two $1 commemorative circulation coins honouring the life and work of Elsie MacGill. The two $1 coins have one shared design that will be produced in a version with colour, and a version without colour.
Background
Elsie MacGill (1905–1980) was a highly accomplished engineer and influential advocate for the rights of women. Her education and early career were marked by the achievement of numerous educational and professional firsts. During the Second World War, she served as Chief Engineer at the Canadian Car and Foundry plant in Fort William, Ontario (Thunder Bay). After the war, she continued her career in aeronautics, but increasingly concentrated on her lifelong commitment to acting as a champion of rights for women, including serving as a commissioner on the Royal Commission on the Status of Women.
The Mint produces commemorative circulation coins as a means to assist in the promotion of the shared history of people living in Canada, as well as our shared values and culture. These special coins engage people living in Canada while raising awareness about topics, stories and events of national significance.
On May 6, 2023, the Government of Canada announced that the future obverse designs of Canada’s circulation coins will feature the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III. The commemorative circulation coins described in this Order will be issued before the new obverse designs featuring the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III will be available for circulation. As such, their obverse designs will feature adaptations of the obverse effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt, as defined below.
Objective
The objective of this Order is to authorize the Mint to produce two $1 commemorative circulation coins in honour of Elsie MacGill’s life and work. The purpose of these coins is to honour and celebrate the life and work of this exceptional Canadian and to raise national awareness of the significance of MacGill’s historic achievements as a source of national pride and identity.
These coins’ obverse designs include commemorative adaptations marking the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. These adaptations indicate that coins bearing them were struck in the period between the end of her reign, and the production of coins bearing the new obverse of His Majesty King Charles III.
Description
The two $1 coins feature the same design in versions with and without colour. The design depicts MacGill holding blueprints, beneath the Maple Leaf Trainer II, the aircraft she designed, as well as an image of a Hawker Hurricane, the aircraft to which MacGill’s work at Canadian Car and Foundry is commonly tied. Also appearing is her name, “ELSIE MACGILL.”
These coins’ obverse designs feature adaptations to the obverse effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt in recognition of her passing and legacy. These adaptations include the addition of the years marking the beginning and end of her reign, “1952” and “2022,” as well as four dots in the shape of a diamond representing the four effigies of Queen Elizabeth II that appeared on Canada’s circulation coins.
Regulatory development
Consultation
The Mint welcomes the public to submit ideas for coin themes and designs through its website. Development of the designs for the Mint’s 2023 commemorative coin program began in early 2022.
Quantitative market research was conducted between August 15 and September 6, 2022, through an online survey sent to a nationally representative sample consisting of 2 324 respondents over the age of 18, residing in Canada. The design appealed to 95% of respondents, suggesting broad support for the coins.
In addition, Mint officials consulted directly with MacGill’s descendants, as well as a wide number of subject matter experts, professional organizations, and organizations interested in, or impacted by, MacGill’s commemoration, as well as relevant Government of Canada departments and agencies. All indicated their support for the coins’ reverse designs, and no concerns were raised regarding the obverse adaptations.
This Order has been exempted from prepublication in the Canada Gazette, Part I, because changing circulation coin designs has no impact on day-to-day transactions and has always been well received. These coins perform the same function in trade and commerce and in the same manner as a coin bearing the standard design.
Modern treaty obligations and Indigenous engagement and consultation
This Order is not expected to impact potential or established Aboriginal or treaty rights, which are recognized and affirmed in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.
Instrument choice
Pursuant to sections 6.4 and 6.5 of the Royal Canadian Mint Act (the Act), the Governor in Council may, by order, authorize the issuance 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. This Order is the only instrument choice available under the Act to authorize the issuance of circulation coins and approve their design.
Regulatory analysis
Benefits and costs
The Mint will incur some program costs in issuing these new commemorative coins. No additional costs for Canadians, businesses, or other stakeholders are anticipated. These costs will be managed within the Mint’s budget.
These coins will deepen Canadians’ knowledge of a critical innovator and path breaker in the history of gender equity that deepens Canadians’ awareness of this exceptional Canadian by communicating and celebrating her achievements.
As commemorative coins are available at face value and circulate widely, public demand is high, with many coins being collected and taken out of circulation. These special circulation coin programs contribute to the overall success of commemoration events and activities. Coins will be distributed through financial institutions with a portion reserved for coin exchanges.
Small business lens
This Order does not impose new administrative or compliance costs on small business. Therefore, the small business lens does not apply.
One-for-one rule
This Order does not impose new administrative costs on business. Therefore, the one-for-one rule does not apply.
Regulatory cooperation and alignment
Given that this Order authorizes the issuance of new commemorative coins, there is no regulatory cooperation or alignment component associated with it.
Strategic environmental assessment
In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals, a preliminary scan concluded that a strategic environmental assessment is not required.
Gender-based analysis plus (GBA+)
Through its commemorative circulation coins, the Mint has represented national milestones in the advancement of gender rights, in addition to featuring topics more broadly representative of Canadian diversity, and the shared history of Canadians. These coins honour and celebrate not only a brilliant and path-breaking Canadian woman, but someone who devoted a huge part of her life and work to championing women’s rights. Honouring the full breadth of Canada’s diversity will continue to feature prominently in the Mint’s future plans for commemorative circulation coin designs.
Implementation, compliance and enforcement, and service standards
This Order will come into force upon its approval. Upon approval of the Order, the Mint will produce and distribute these coins for general circulation. There are no compliance and enforcement requirements associated with this Order. Launch event tactics are developed collaboratively with federal and community partners. They may include some or all of the following: a national multimedia advertising campaign, news releases, a public launch event, media relations outreach and public coin exchanges.
Contact
Simon Kamel
Vice-President, General Counsel 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