Strong regional preferences dominate ‘long list’ of women proposed for new banknotes

– Come 2018, Canadians will be seeing a new face in their wallets, and the latest public opinion poll from the Angus Reid Institute indicates Canadian preference tilts towards Nellie McClung’s.

The ‘Famous Five’ activist is the most popular choice to become the first Canadian woman to be featured on a banknote, though she’s far from a majority pick.

Indeed, Canadians are divided – particularly along regional lines – as to which woman should be featured on the new bill, even as they voice strong support for the idea of putting more female figures on the country’s currency.

Four-in-five Canadians (80%) agree that at least one woman, other than Queen Elizabeth, should appear on the front of a Canadian banknote.

Key Findings 

• McClung is the pick of 27 per cent of Canadians, followed by Thérèse Casgrain (19%) – the first woman to lead a Canadian political party – and Elizabeth MacGill (18%) – the world’s first female aircraft designer – among others

• Regionally, Quebeckers and British Columbians are most enthusiastic about a woman’s placement on new bill, 86 per cent and 83 per cent agree with this venture respectively

• Women are more likely than men to view the issue of representation of women on currency as important (46% rate it a 4 or a 5 on a 5-point scale, compared to 37% of men who do the same)

Link to the poll here: www.angusreid.org/women-on-money