Order Authorizing the Issue of Two One-dollar Commemorative Circulation Coins Specifying the Characteristics and Determining the Designs (L. M. Montgomery): SOR/2024-104

Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 158, Number 12

Registration
SOR/2024-104 May 27, 2024

ROYAL CANADIAN MINT ACT

Order Authorizing the Issue of Two One-dollar Commemorative Circulation Coins Specifying the Characteristics and Determining the Designs (L. M. Montgomery)

P.C. 2024-580 May 24, 2024

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 Actfootnote b, authorizes the issue of two one-dollar circulation coins, 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 designs of the coins to be as follows:

REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT

(This statement is not part of the Order.)

Issues

The Royal Canadian Mint (the Mint) will produce two $1 commemorative circulation coins to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of L. M. Montgomery (1874–1942). The two $1 coins have one shared design that will be produced in a version with colour and a version without colour.

Background

These coins commemorate the life and writing of world-famous Canadian author L. M. Montgomery in celebration of Canadian literature and culture. Born in Clifton (New London), Prince Edward Island (PEI), Montgomery composed over 500 short stories and 20 novels, in addition to collections of poetry and essays. Her most well-known works, centred on the life and experiences of Anne Shirley in the Anne of Green Gables stories, have been translated into dozens of languages and adapted to feature in many artistic media. She remains among the most widely read and celebrated authors in Canada’s history.

The Mint produces commemorative circulation coins to promote the shared history of people living in Canada, as well as their shared values and culture. These special coins engage people living in Canada while raising awareness about topics, stories and events of national significance.

Objective

The objective of this Order is to authorize the Mint to produce two $1 commemorative circulation coins commemorating the 150th anniversary of the birth of L. M. Montgomery.

Description

The two $1 coins feature the same design in versions with and without colour. The design depicts Montgomery holding a pen overlooking an ink pot and notebook; to her left is a depiction of Anne Shirley overlooking the Prince Edward Island countryside. Montgomery’s signature appears on the design’s bottom right, along with the sketch of a cat, which she was known to add to her signature.

Regulatory development

Consultation

The Mint welcomes the public to submit ideas for coin themes and designs through its website. Development of the designs for the Mint’s 2024 commemorative coin program began in late 2022.

Quantitative market research was conducted between May 26, 2023, and June 16, 2023, through an online survey sent to a nationally representative sample consisting of 3 100 respondents over the age of 18, residing in Canada. Ninety-five per cent of respondents indicated that the design is appealing, suggesting broad support for the coins.

In addition, Mint officials consulted directly with subject matter experts and organizations interested in, or that could be impacted by, the commemoration of the topics the designs highlight. All have indicated their support for the coins.

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. These coins will 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 proposal 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 these new commemorative coins. No additional costs for Canadians, businesses or other stakeholders are anticipated.

These coins offer people living in Canada a widely accessible means through which to engage and learn more about the life and work of one of Canada’s most successful and popular authors.

As commemorative coins are available at face value and circulate widely, public demand is high, with many coins being collected and taken out of circulation. These special circulation coin programs contribute to the overall success of commemorative events and activities. Coins will be distributed through financial institutions, and a portion will be reserved for coin exchanges.

Small business lens

Analysis under the small business lens concluded that the Order will not impact Canadian small businesses.

One-for-one rule

This Order does not impose new administrative costs on business. Therefore, the one-for-one rule does not apply.

Regulatory cooperation and alignment

Given that this Order authorizes the issuance of new commemorative coins, 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 a strategic environmental assessment is not required.

Gender-based analysis plus

Through its commemorative circulation coins, the Mint has represented national milestones in the advancement of gender rights, in addition to featuring topics more broadly representative of Canadian diversity and our shared history. These coins commemorate the life and work of a Canadian woman, the first author commemorated on a circulation coin. Honouring the full breadth of Canada’s diversity will continue to feature prominently in the Mint’s future plans for commemorative circulation coin designs.

Implementation, compliance and enforcement, and service standards

This Order will come into force upon its approval. Upon approval of the Order, 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. Launch event tactics are developed collaboratively with federal and community partners. They may include some or all of the following: a national multimedia advertising campaign, news releases, a public launch event, media relations outreach and public 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