Order Authorizing the Issue of a Two-dollar Circulation Coin Specifying the Characteristics and Determining the Design (Elizabeth II): SOR/2022-247

Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 156, Number 25

Registration
SOR/2022-247 November 25, 2022

ROYAL CANADIAN MINT ACT

Order Authorizing the Issue of a Two-dollar Circulation Coin Specifying the Characteristics and Determining the Design (Elizabeth II)

P.C. 2022-1250 November 25, 2022

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 Act footnote b, authorizes the issue of a coloured two-dollar circulation coin, the characteristics of which are to be as specified in item 1.1footnote c of Part 2 of the schedule to that Act and the diameter of which is to be 28.03 mm, and determines the design of the coin to be as follows:

REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT

(This statement is not part of the Order.)

Issues

The Royal Canadian Mint (the Mint) wishes to produce a coloured $2 circulation coin honouring Queen Elizabeth II’s life and reign.

Background

In recognition of, and to honour, the long and important reign of Queen Elizabeth II, the Mint wishes to produce a $2 coin, the outer ring of which would be black, as a symbol of mourning. This coin would offer Canadians an accessible and tangible means through which to recognize Queen Elizabeth II.

Objective

The purpose of this coin would be to honour the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

Description

As currently displayed on the reverse of $2 circulation coins, the proposed design would feature a polar bear standing on an ice floe on the coin’s inner core, while the outer ring would be produced in black as a symbol of mourning. The obverse would feature the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt on the inner core and the outer ring would similarly be produced in black. The words “CANADA” and “2 DOLLARS” would appear on the coins’ reverse, while “ELIZABETH II,” “D·G·REGINA” and “2022” would appear on its obverse. The edge of the coins featuring this design would also show the inscriptions “CANADA” and “2 DOLLARS,” with a maple leaf before and after the inscription “CANADA.”

Regulatory development

Consultation

The Mint welcomes the public to submit ideas for coin themes and designs through its web site.

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. The coin would 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

The 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 this new circulation coin. No costs for Canadians, businesses, or other stakeholders are anticipated. These costs will be managed within the Mint’s budget.

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

The one-for-one rule does not apply, as there is no impact on businesses.

Regulatory cooperation and alignment

Given that this Order authorizes the issuance of this new circulation coin, 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 this Order will not result in positive or negative environmental impacts. Therefore, a strategic environmental assessment is not required.

Gender-based analysis plus

No gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) impacts have been identified for this Order.

Implementation, compliance and enforcement, and service standards

This Order will come into force upon registration, at which point the Mint will proceed with a production order to authorize its Winnipeg facility to start production. There are no compliance and enforcement requirements associated with this Order.

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