Campaign underway to put women on Canadian currency

VANCOUVER – An online campaign is gathering momentum to put more women on Canadian currency.

When the Bank of Canada started issuing new polymer notes in 2011 there was a public promise the images on the money would reflect diversity.

But aside from the Queen, who is an all Canadian currency, no women are currently featured on Canadian bills and coins.

Now, nearly 50,000 people have signed an online petition suggesting artists like Emily Carr, writers like Margaret Atwood and activists like Nellie McClung should be represented on our money.

“The only Canadian women to ever have made it on bank notes have disappeared,” said author and historian Merna Forster. “They faced incredible struggles to be recognized and to follow their dreams. Whatever it was.”