Canada plans new commemorative banknote in 2017

The Bank of Canada has announced it seeks the help of the public for coming up with ideas for a commemorative note celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada in 2017. From the website:

"The Bank of Canada has announced that it will develop and issue a commemorative bank note in 2017 to mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation. Since its inception, the Bank of Canada has issued two other commemorative bank notes. The last commemorative note issued in 1967 marked Canada’s centennial, so we’re pretty excited.

Many details have yet to be worked out, but one certainty is that this polymer note will be broadly available by 1 July 2017. Details like the denomination, security features, the number of commemorative notes that will circulate, and the means to obtain them will be announced as the project progresses. Stay tuned for updates.

In keeping with the Bank’s design principles, we need input from Canadians. Ideas for themes, subject matter and images will be considered as long as they take the following in to account.

- They must adhere to our principles for bank note design.
- They must represent the specific theme for this special note – the 150th anniversary of Confederation.

Ideas for theme, subject matter and images will be gathered from the public and other key stakeholders. The Bank will also seek advice from subject-matter experts. The designs proposed to the Minister of Finance will be those that best meet the above criteria. The Minister of Finance is responsible for approving any new bank note design in accordance with the Bank of Canada Act.

The Bank invites Canadians to propose ideas for this commemorative bank note marking our country’s 150th birthday.

We hope you’ll contribute ideas towards this celebratory bank note. Spread the word and share this page with your family and friends. Tell us what makes you proud to be Canadian, what would best represent Canada’s 150th and what you’d like to see highlighted on this commemorative note. Fill out the questionnaire by 8 January 2015.

A summary of the input received from Canadians through various means will be published at the end of the consultation period."

Pretty exciting news! The last commemorative Canadian note was the one pictured below, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Confederation in 1967.