Town council wants Canadian women featured on currency by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 11 | Friday, November 6, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com The Town of Oakville has joined a chorus of voices calling for women integral to Canadian history to be pictured on Canadian currency. Town council voted unanimously during last week's meeting to encourage the Bank of Canada and federal Minister of Finance to add prominent Canadian women to Canadian bank notes. The decision was copied to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to urge other municipalities to support the call. Currently, Queen Elizabeth II is the only woman featured on Canadian currency. "When this was first brought to my attention, I thought it couldn't be possible that we don't have women on our bank notes, but as it turns out we don't," said Ward 2 Councillor Pam Damoff during what was her last council meeting after being elected to the MP's role in Oakville North-Burlington. "We need role models for young people, young women. It may not seem like a big deal whether they are on our bank notes, but the only one on there is the Queen. She's a great lady, but there are lots of wonderful Canadians, as well, who could be represented." "There are lots of examples where we need to be encouraging our young women and this is something that would be so simple to do," said Damoff. Oakville Mayor Rob Burton also weighed in on the motion. "As the father of daughters, I couldn't support this more strongly," he said. The motion said women have been featured on Canadian currency in the past, but always temporarily. In 2004, the Bank of Canada circulated a $50 bill honouring the contributions of Therese Casgrain, first woman to lead a political party in Canada, and The Famous Five (Nelly McClung, Emily Murphy, Irene Parlby, Bouise McKinney and Henrietta Edwards), who gained recognition for getting women to be legally considered persons so they could run for the senate. This $50 was ultimately taken out of circulation in 2011 and replaced with one featuring former Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King and an icebreaker. In passing the motion, the Town of Oakville joins a Canada-wide movement calling for the inclusion of women on Canadian bank notes. An online petition at www.change.org already has more than 64,000 supporters and other municipalities have passed similar motions. To try the latest hearing * technology FREE for 30 days. We're looking for 20 people with hearing loss to test Z Series hearing aids FREE for 30 days. 20 SPOTS AVAILABLE environments work reliably Eliminate feedback ONLY Workers Untie! Brothers and Sisters! End the tyranny of lace-up work boots with Blundstone CSA Greenpatch! Stand up for new "memory" footbeds! More cushioned working conditions! On the ground support for workers'rights! And lefts! Striking kick-toe leather protection! Strength and lightness hand in hand! Unite! Untie! #164 The CSA Greenpatch in Crazy Horse Brown. Also available in Black and Stout Brown. $199.95 FIRST 20 QUALIFIED CALLERS ONLY! November 18 & 19 | 9am - 4:30pm Participants are under no obligation to buy, but must qualify to determine candidacy. There's never been a better opportunity to see if hearing aids can help you. Offer valid for the Z Series hearing aids are designed to: Improve hearing in noisy Fit comfortably and (whistling & buzzing) You have nothing to lose and potentially everything to gain. Work easily with your phone ONLY 20 SPOTS AVAILABLE -- SO CALL TODAY! 1.888.835.4695 Michael, Owner Michael Stoyan has been serving our community for 30 years. We are committed to developing long-term relationships with our patients and have invested in state-of-the-art equipment, software and training to best serve your needs. Please call us today to begin your life of better hearing. 487 Cornwall Rd. Oakville, ON Find out more about us on www.engagehearing.com LIKE US ON FACEBOOK *Deposit may be required.