Queen Elizabeth II has been part of Canadian lives with engraved coins, $20 bills and official stamps. Along with several parks, mountains, islands, and buildings that honour her name.
Following her death, below are the things that will and will not change for Canadians.
The $20 Bills
According to the Bank of Canada, the current polymer $20 banknote featuring the Queen will remain in circulation for years. However, her successor will eventually take her place.
The bank said the $20 bill will be redesigned, suggesting that “the $20 note will continue to feature the reigning monarch.”
Canadian Coins
According to the Royal Canadian Mint, all coins bearing the image of the Queen will always be considered legal currency and will remain in use. Even nickels displaying her father, King George VI, are still accepted as legal currency today.
The Mint has stated that it will be up to the Canadian Government to determine whether to change the picture that presently appears on the obverse (heads side) of coins, which features the Queen.
Further, it says that Mint must wait for the Government’s approval on a new obverse design when a monarch changes, but we will closely cooperate with the relevant authorities when this change is requested.
Official Stamps
The Canada Post has not specified what will happen to current stamps bearing the Queen’s picture, but they will likely continue to accept those used as valid postage after her passing.
Canada Post responds to the question of whether the image of the new monarch will be featured on new stamps, saying, “We have a National Stamp Advisory Committee that examines and determines components of stamp issues. These elements are only disclosed once the stamp is announced publicly.”
Buildings, Parks & Organizations
There is little reason to believe that many establishments with names derived from the Queen will change them. After all, more than a century after her passing, Queen Victoria’s name is still attached to several structures, locations, and organizations in Canada.
Canadian Armed Forces
The Queen’s Rifles, the country’s oldest infantry regiment whose name is a tribute to Queen Victoria, won’t be changing its name.
Nevertheless, more than a dozen additional regiments, military branches, and military organizations for which the Queen has served as the titular head or patron will be affected in some way by Queen Elizabeth’s passing.
Under the Queen’s command are 12 infantry and armour regiments, including the Governor General’s Horse Guards, according to the Department of National Defence.
She maintains the same rank in both the Canadian Army’s Legal Branch and the Branch of Canadian Military Engineers. In addition, she is Captain General of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery.
The Queen also serves as a patron for several groups that support the navy, including the Royal Canadian Naval Benevolent Fund and the Navy League of Canada.
Moreover, the department says Queen Elizabeth carried out these roles. As a result, the titles “will not automatically transfer to the new Sovereign.”
The department states that each regiment or organization would have to submit a request to the future monarch or other members of the Royal Family for consideration should they choose to select a new colonel-in-chief or patron.
Presented by CTC News