The Bank of Canada today announced that the 2018 bank note independent Advisory Council has narrowed to 12 names the list of iconic Canadian women who could be featured on the first bank note of the next series.

The 12 prominent Canadian women, who were selected from the submissions received from the public, are as follows (in alphabetical order):

Pitseolak Ashoona (c. 1904–1983)

Emily Carr (1871–1945)

Thérèse Casgrain (1896–1981)

Viola Desmond (1914–1965)

Lotta Hitschmanova (1909–1990)

E. Pauline Johnson (1861–1913)

Elizabeth (Elsie) MacGill (1905–1980)

Nellie McClung (1873–1951)

Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874–1942)

Fanny (Bobbie) Rosenfeld (1904–1969)

Gabrielle Roy (1909–1983)

Idola Saint-Jean (1880–1945)

The Advisory Council issued a statement explaining the criteria and principles governing the selection process, indicating that nominees should have broken or overcome barriers, made a significant change, left a lasting legacy and be inspirational. “The women who appear on our list should resonate with Canadians and reflect the diversity of Canada. Their achievements must be seen in the context of the time they lived,” it said.

The Bank wishes to thank members of the public for their participation in the open call for nominations, which yielded more than 26,000 submissions. Over 460 eligible Canadian women were nominated.

“I am very pleased with the tremendous response to this campaign from Canadians which shows just how much they care about who is represented on the bank notes in their wallets,” said Governor Stephen S. Poloz. “I’d also like to thank the Advisory Council for their hard work in developing this truly impressive list and look forward to the next steps toward a new bank note in 2018.”

A formal public opinion survey will now gauge the views of a representative sample of Canadians regarding the 12 nominees. The Advisory Council will use the results of this survey, together with input from historical experts, to develop a short list of three to five finalists for submission to the Minister of Finance, who will make the final selection, in accordance with the Bank of Canada Act.