Queen Elizabeth II has always been present in the lives of Canadians.
His face is engraved on our coins. It adorns the $20 bill and appears on some of our stamps. Even buildings, parks, mountains and islands bear his name.
Here’s a look at some of the things that will – or won’t – change after his death:
Coins :
The Royal Canadian Mint says all coins engraved with the Queen’s likeness will be legal tender and remain in circulation indefinitely. She notes that five-cent coins bearing the likeness of her father, King George VI, are still legal tender today.
As new coins are produced, the Royal Canadian Mint says it will be up to the Government of Canada to decide whether to change the image on the obverse (head side) of the coins, where the Queen currently appears.
“The Mint must await government direction on a new obverse design when a change of monarch occurs, but we will work closely with the relevant authorities when this change is requested,” it says.
$20 tickets:
The Bank of Canada says the current polymer $20 note featuring the Queen will continue to circulate for years to come. His image, however, will eventually be replaced by that of his successor.
“When finally redesigned, the $20 bill will continue to represent the reigning monarch,” the bank said.
Stamps:
Canada Post is not saying what will happen to existing stamps featuring the Queen, but will likely continue to accept those used after her death as legal postage.
As to whether the image of the new monarch will appear on the new stamps, Canada Post says, “We have a National Stamp Advisory Committee that evaluates and determines the elements of stamp issues. These items are not disclosed until the stamp is publicly announced. »
Buildings, places and organizations named after the Queen:
There’s no reason to assume that many – if any – will change their names. After all, many buildings, places and organizations in Canada continue to bear the name of Queen Victoria more than a century after her death.
Canadian Armed Forces:
The Queen’s Own Rifles, Canada’s oldest infantry regiment, will not change its name, which is actually in honor of Queen Victoria.
However, Queen Elizabeth’s passing will impact more than a dozen other regiments, military branches and military organizations, of which the Queen has served as titular head or patroness.
According to the Department of National Defence, the Queen is Colonel-in-Chief of 12 armor and infantry regiments, including the Governor General’s Horse Guards. She holds the same title in the Legal Branch of the CAF and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch and is Captain General of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery.
She is also a patron of several naval-related organizations, including the Navy League of Canada and the Royal Canadian Navy Benevolent Fund.
Queen Elizabeth fulfilled these roles in her personal capacity. Therefore, the titles “will not automatically transfer to the new sovereign,” the ministry said.
If they choose to appoint a new colonel-in-chief or patron, the ministry says each regiment or organization will need to submit a request to the new monarch, or other members of the royal family, for consideration.