Sorry Charles, Canada doesn't need you
With so many Canadian heroes to choose from, why put Charles on the money?
By Michael Kynaston
Since the death of Queen Elizabeth II just over a year ago, a lot of Canadians have been asking – why should King Charles III be on Canada’s money? Since moving to Canada from the UK recently, I’ve been asking myself the same question.
In my short time in Canada, I’ve been made aware of many inspiring Canadian heroes. And yet, the Canadian government is still going through all of the trouble of reprinting the twenty dollar bill with Charles’ face on it after Queen Elizabeth II passed away last year.
I think this is a mistake. Canada has an opportunity to make a decisive shift away from the Commonwealth tradition of printing British monarchs on their currency. It doesn’t make sense to me that although most of the United Kingdom’s authority in Canadian affairs has been proactively removed, a British King can still be represented on Canada’s money instead of a national hero.
Terry Fox is one of those heroes. I had never participated in the annual jogs at elementary school or seen Terry’s emotional last interviews. But after moving to Canada and learning his story, I helped organize a team to participate and raise money for Montreal’s Terry Fox run earlier this month.
Terry Fox was 18 when he lost part of his leg to cancer. To raise national awareness and funding for cancer research, he attempted the ‘Marathon of Hope,’ running across Canada on his prosthetic leg. He raised $24.7 million and covered 5,373 kilometres, but was tragically forced to stop when the cancer spread to his lungs and ultimately took his life. His legacy endures since he passed away in 1981, with Terry Fox fundraising runs held nationwide every year.
Looking beyond Terry, there are other Canadian icons who should be on the money. Consider Robertine Barry, the first woman French-Canadian journalist and a relentless activist for many social justice causes, especially women’s equality. Or Won Alexander Cumyow, the first known Chinese-Canadian born in Canada who was a voice for disenfranchised people and played a key role in transforming racist attitudes toward Chinese people in Canada. Portraying Canadian icons on the currency is hardly a far-fetched idea. Viola Desmond, a civil and women’s rights activist from Nova Scotia, was rightfully honoured on the ten dollar bill.
Other Commonwealth states have already made the shift away from the royal visage. Following the Queen’s death, Australia’s central bank announced it will not replace her image on its five dollar bill with King Charles. Although there was some opposition, Australia concluded that Charles will be included only on their coins, while their five dollar note would, as Australia Treasurer Jim Chalmers put it, “say more about our history and our heritage and our country.” Such a compromise could be an alternative method for the Canadian government to honour its own figures, while not breaking fully from convention.
Drawing inspiration again from Australia, their new five dollar bill will feature an Indigenous design that pays tribute to the island’s original inhabitants. In light of Canada’s commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, it would be an opt opportunity to commemorate the history and culture of Indigenous peoples and honour their valued contributions to Canada. Heroes such as Binaaswi (Francis Pegahmagabow), the most highly-decorated Indigenous soldier in Canadian history, or Thelma Chalifoux, the first Indigenous woman to be appointed to the Canadian Senate, could be celebrated.
This is not a straightforward proposal. Indigenous communities have suffered and continue to endure harm and injustice at the hands of the government. Indigenous communities are best placed to decide for themselves whether a collaborative effort should be made to honour Indigenous figures on Canadian currency.
But clearly, Canada has many notable figures to choose from for its currency. What’s more, the Commonwealth and monarchy are both declining global institutions, begging the question as to why British monarchs should even be considered for depiction on the currency.
Of course, the obvious objection to my argument is that Charles remains Canada's head of state. Given that, why shouldn’t he be on the money? But Canadians can distinguish between the Crown as the legal personification of the Canadian state, and Charles as the monarch. Canada has many other ways of symbolizing its statehood: a simple crown; its coat of arms; or, as I am suggesting, some of its great nation builders.
The international relevance and influence of the monarchy has been increasingly questioned after King Charles was crowned. Given Queen Elizabeth’s long-standing reign over seven decades and her historic role in facilitating state diplomacy, she was seen as a source of authority. King Charles’ global role and standing in governance is much less clear, especially as states question why a foreign monarch should have any business in its own affairs.
To be clear, this is not intended to be a direct assault on Charles. When it comes to climate change, he has been an outspoken voice on the need for action. But now, Charles is the head of an institution which feels increasingly outdated and unsuitable to play a global leadership role in the 21st century.
What’s worse, the monarchy had the chance to modernize itself, but it remains out of touch. For example, in 2018, when Meghan Markle and Prince Harry got married, she became the first non-white member of the family. However, this did not lead to positive change. The British press relentlessly published toxic headlines about them, and as a result, drove the royals out of the country and out of their duties – with the Crown offering little to no support. Their exit leaves the remaining royals peddling an offer that is increasingly irrelevant in today’s multicultural world.
There is also a public appetite for a Canadian face in Canada’s wallets. According to a poll by the Angus Reid Institute, only 38% of Canadians are in favour of Charles being on Canada’s money. Furthermore, 60% even opposed recognizing Charles as King and only 28% view Charles favourably.
With so many Canadian figures to choose from, a Commonwealth and monarchy declining in influence, and supportive public opinion, it is high time for Canadian heroes to be on all of the country’s currency.
My home nation and monarchy will just have to accept it.
Michael Kynaston is from London, United Kingdom. He has worked as a Participation and Communities manager for Barking and Dagenham council in London, engaging directly with local residents, community partners and elected officials. Michael is passionate about education policy and has good experience of participation and engagement work, but is excited about being able to study such topics as global macroeconomics and budgeting and fiscal policy in all of their complexity.
