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[Perfect Blue]

Viola Desmond remains an icon of the human rights and freedoms movement in Canada. A successful Nova Scotia businesswoman, she defiantly refused to leave a whites-only area of a movie theatre in 1946 and was subsequently jailed, convicted and fined. Her court case was the first known legal challenge against racial segregation brought forth by a Black woman in Canada.

More here: http://www.bankofcanada.ca/banknotes/banknoteable/

The Bank will now begin to design this new $10 note featuring the portrait of Viola Desmond. Through consultation with subject matter experts, the reverse side of the note will depict symbols and images that represent the broader themes of social justice and the struggle for rights and freedoms.

To continue to celebrate more iconic Canadians, the next $5 note will also feature a new portrait subject and supporting imagery. In due course, the Bank will launch another consultation process to seek input from Canadians on the design of the next $5 note, building on the success of this most recent process.

The list is here: http://www.bankofcanada.ca/banknotes/banknoteable/nominations/

 

[NorthAndSouth]

Yes, this is wonderful news! Viola Desmond is a true Canadian hero, I can't wait to see how the new design turns out

 

[Brinbe]

Great choice! Even prouder to be Canadian =)

 

[Vibranium]

Awesome, I'm glad the Bank chose her, as a Canadian it's always great to see diversity. I'm looking forward to seeing the new bills in use.

And whoops, old news. Now that I think about it, I heard the announcement already.

 

[Alavard]

This is good news, but it's from back in December.

Just look at the date in the URL:

http://www.bankofcanada.ca/2016/12/viola-desmond-chosen-as-bank-note-able-woman/

 

[Reg]

The alt right tears are gonna be great.

 

[Perfect Blue]

Also good to know that William Lyon Mackenzie King and Robert Borden will be taken off the $50 and $100.

 

[Silexx]

Sweet! She was my pick that I sent to the BoC when they were doing consultations. I like to think I'm the one who swayed them.

 

[Stumpokapow]

Here's a trivially obvious truth: people who break rules should be celebrated more than people who make rules.

To this end, in addition to adding famous resisters to the currency (a great symbolic move), the Canadian government should also restore the Court Challenges Program, which funded lawsuits against the federal government in order to overturn unconstitutional laws and strengthen charter jurisprudence. The program cost very little, played an important role in the federal court system, and was abolished under Harper because "The government doesn't make bad laws". The government does make bad laws, and it always has; Viola Desmond is just one example of why we need to empower those fighting against them, then and now.

 

[SpaceWolf]

Thought for a second the title said Viola Davis.

 

[Perfect Blue]

This is good news, but it's from back in December.

Just look at the date in the URL:

http://www.bankofcanada.ca/2016/12/viola-desmond-chosen-as-bank-note-able-woman/

Huh, did not know! I guess this particular webpage may be new? I saw the link from r/canada.

 

[Jasoneyu]

Heard rumblings that it is in circulation now. Been trying to find one since.