Learn about the process that led to the selection of Viola Desmond to be featured on the next regularly circulating $10 note.
Open call for nominations
The call for nominations served to establish an initial list of eligible candidates whose names were published on the Bank’s website. An independent Advisory Council reviewed the nominations and produced the following two lists:
The long list
- A long list of 12 names was published on the Bank’s website.
- A formal public opinion survey followed to gauge the views of a representative sample of Canadians regarding the nominees.
The short list
- The Advisory Council reviewed the survey results, heard from historical experts and established a draft short list of five iconic Canadian women.
- Focus group testing was carried out to assess Canadians’ opinions of the five short-listed women.
- The Advisory Council reviewed comprehensive biographies by historical experts and the focus group feedback before confirming their original list of five.
- The short list was submitted to the Bank.
Final decision
- The Governor of the Bank of Canada then consulted with the Minister of Finance on the short list.
- The Minister made the final decision, in accordance with the Bank of Canada Act.
- The announcement that Viola Desmond would be featured on the next regularly circulating $10 bank note was made on 8 December 2016.
This consultation process was in line with the Bank’s design principles, which were developed to ensure that the Canadian public has the opportunity to play a greater role in the design process for the next bank note series.
Canadian Museum of History – Event (Webcasts)
Governor Stephen S. Poloz, Minister of Finance Bill Morneau and Minister of Status of Women Patty Hajdu will reveal which iconic Canadian woman will be featured on the next regularly circulating bank note. (9:00 (ET) approx.).
Public consultation results for the vertical $10 note
Highlights and comprehensive reports related to the bank NOTE-able consultation and design process.
Principles of bank note design
The Bank of Canada is formalizing a set of principles that will guide the design of Canadian bank notes and serve as the foundation upon which the visual content (theme, subject matter and images) for bank notes is developed in the future.