Vol. 151, No. 5 — March 8, 2017
Registration
SOR/2017-25 February 24, 2017
ROYAL CANADIAN MINT ACT
Order Authorizing the Issue of a Two Dollar Circulation Coin Specifying the Characteristics and Determining the Design
P.C. 2017-158 February 24, 2017
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), authorizes the issue of a two dollar circulation coin, the characteristics of which are to be as specified in item 1.1 (see footnote d) of Part 2 of the schedule to that Act and the diameter of which is to be 28 mm, and determines the design of the coin to be as follows:
- (a) the obverse impression is to depict, on the inner core of the coin, the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt, with the initials “SB” on the bottom left-hand corner of the neckline and, on the outer ring, a maple leaf at the top of the coin and starting to the right of the maple leaf and going clockwise are to appear the inscriptions “D•G•REGINA”, “2 DOLLARS”, “CANADA” and “ELIZABETH II”; and
- (b) the reverse impression is to depict, on the inner core and overlapping onto the outer ring, an image of Vimy Memorial with the word “VIMY” below it, a Canadian soldier in First World War uniform standing with a bowed head to the left of the Memorial and a Canadian veteran saluting to the right of the Memorial, and on the outer ring, the artist’s initials “TB” to the right of the design, two virtual images of a maple leaf between two lines at the top of the coin and two lasermark maple leaves, each within a circle, at the bottom of the coin with the inscriptions “REMEMBER” appearing to the left of the left-hand circle, “2017” appearing in the middle of the two circles and “SOUVENIR” appearing to the right of the other circle; the inscriptions “CANADA” and “2 DOLLARS” with a maple leaf before and after the word “CANADA” are to appear on the edge of the coin.
REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT
(This statement is not part of the Order.)
Issues
The Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) wishes to produce a commemorative $2 circulation coin honouring Canada’s veterans on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge (First World War). 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 RCM 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
The RCM wishes to produce a commemorative $2 circulation coin in honour of Canada’s veterans on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. This coin will communicate the contributions and sacrifices of our veterans and promote remembrance among Canadians. It will inform and educate Canadians about the meaning, significance, and relevance of Canada’s military history. These coins serve as tangible keepsakes of the contributions and sacrifices of our veterans.
Description
This Order authorizes the RCM to produce a $2 circulation coin commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The centre of the coin would depict the Vimy Memorial with the word “VIMY” below it. The coin would also depict a Canadian soldier, in First World War uniform, standing with a bowed head to the left of the Memorial and a Canadian veteran saluting to the right of the Memorial.
“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 Battle of Vimy Ridge has been identified as a key nation-building milestone by the Interdepartmental Commemorations Committee (ICC) — chaired by the Department of Canadian Heritage — which manages the Government of Canada’s commemorative priorities. Under the ICC’s purview, this anniversary has been identified as a priority commemoration by the Government of Canada.
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.
Coins will be distributed through financial institutions with a portion reserved for RCM-hosted coin exchanges.
Contact
Simon Kamel
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
- Footnote a
S.C. 1999, c. 4, s. 3 - Footnote b
S.C. 1999, c. 4, s. 3 - Footnote c
R.S., c. R-9 - Footnote d
SOR/2011-324, s. 1