Issuance of a commemorative $1 circulation coin commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Parliament passing a series of amendments to the Criminal Code of Canada (Decriminalization of homosexuality): SOR/2018-282
Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 152, Number 26
Registration
SOR/2018-282 December 17, 2018
ROYAL CANADIAN MINT ACT
Issuance of a commemorative $1 circulation coin commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Parliament passing a series of amendments to the Criminal Code of Canada (Decriminalization of homosexuality)
P.C. 2018-1571 December 14, 2018
Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Finance, pursuant to sections 6.4footnote a and 6.5footnote aof the Royal Canadian Mint Act footnote b, authorizes the issue of a one-dollar circulation coin, 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 those coins to be as follows:
(a) the obverse impression is to depict the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt, with the initials “SB” on the bottom left-hand corner of the neckline, the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “D∙G∙REGINA” to the left and right of the effigy, respectively, and with beading around the circumference of the coin; and
b) the reverse impression is to depict a stylized rendering of two overlapping human faces within a large circle, the left half of the left face in front view and the right face in profile facing left, the two faces forming one whole face in front view composed of two eyes with eyebrows, a nose, a mouth and two ears with a small hoop earring on the left ear, seven wavy lines and six semi-circular lines emanating from the left and right side of the whole face, respectively, the inscriptions, inset between two semi-circular lines, “EQUALITY” to the lower left of the whole face and “ÉGALITÉ” covering the bottom right and neck of that face, above the left eye of the whole face, a security mark consisting of a maple leaf within a maple leaf, within a double circle, and on the outside of the large circle the inscriptions “CANADA”, “2019”, “DOLLAR” and “1969” to the top, right, bottom and left of the coin, respectively and the artists’s initials “JA”, between the inscriptions “2019” and “DOLLAR”.
REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT
(This statement is not part of the Order.)
Issues
The Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) wishes to produce a commemorative $1 circulation coin commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Parliament passing a series of amendments to the Criminal Code of Canada which led to the decriminalization of homosexuality, representing an important landmark for LGBTQ2 rights in Canada. This $1 coin would honour and commemorate that early important step, and subsequent progress for sexual orientation and gender identity. 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, as well as Canadian values, culture and history. These special coins raise awareness of subjects, stories and events of importance to Canadians, and create engagement with the Canadian public.
Objectives
The objective of this Order is to authorize the RCM to produce a $1 commemorative circulation coin celebrating Canada’s diversity through the lens of gender and sexual identity on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the passage of a series of amendments to the Criminal Code of Canada which led to the decriminalization of homosexuality.
Description
This Order authorizes the RCM to produce a commemorative $1 circulation coin depicting a stylized rendering of two overlapping faces. Beneath these faces are the inscriptions “EQUALITY” and “ÉGALITÉ.” Also featured are the years “1969” and “2019” marking the 50th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality.
“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
These coins would celebrate our nation’s journey toward becoming a more inclusive and egalitarian society. These coins will serve as unique tangible keepsakes in celebration of Canadian diversity.
Because these coins are available at face value and are circulated widely, public demand is high with many coins being collected and taken out of circulation.
This coin design has been developed through a collaborative process including the RCM, the Treasury Board Secretariat and the Privy Council Office’s LGBTQ2 Secretariat.
Coins will be distributed through financial institutions with a portion reserved for 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