Bank of Canada still not committed to women on currency, petition says

A bit disingenuous for the Bank of Canada to cite public opinion research when the Government generally does not release such information, or when it does (i.e., CIC annual tracking survey) releases it in a pdf format from which one cannot extract and analyze the data tables:

The disappearance of women figures prompted scattered protests, including from Calgary city council. But Forsters campaign kicked into high gear last year after she was inspired by a British lobbying effort that was successful in getting an image of Jane Austen included on the next 10-pound notes, set for release after 2016 in the United Kingdom.

Ironically, the commitment to include the Austen image came from Mark Carney, the new Bank of England governor who years earlier in Canada had overseen the removal of images of women on Canada’s redesigned currency.

Forster began an online petition that now includes about 44,000 names, including author Margaret Atwood and actor Kim Cattrall. Some 12,000 signatures were added in the last few days, after the banks announcement.

Forster has already been rebuffed once before, after writing repeatedly to the central bank. Last year, Poloz wrote to her saying it would be premature for the Bank of Canada to commit to including images of women on any new currency issues.

“It’s clearly discrimination against women,” Forster said in an interview. “It perpetuates the myth that women are not nation builders.”

The Bank of Canada, on the other hand, says it wants to wait for the consultation process before making any commitment. The bank says previous public opinion research showed Canadians want to celebrate collective achievements, rather than individuals, and so the current series features themes such as medical advances rather than historic figures.

“These notes depict Canada’s exploits and accomplishments, endeavours in which Canadian women and men have contributed,” said spokesman Alexandre Deslongchamps.

Deslongchamps added that the current banknotes, introduced between 2011 and 2013, are expected to last for at least eight years before needing replacement so there is no immediate requirement for new designs.

Forster said she plans to continue her campaign, noting the British campaign included a threat of legal action. A court challenge in Canada might draw on Section 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which forbids sex discrimination, she said.

She also noted that Australia, to whom the Bank of Canada looked for advice on its new plastic bills, features historic women on most denominations.

Bank of Canada still not committed to women on currency, petition says – Politics – CBC News.