Most Canadians don't want King Charles III on their money

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Canadians are not amused with the idea of having her son and successor King Charles III on their money.

As things currently stand the C$20 bill features an image Queen Elizabeth. The monarch was first featured on the note as an eight-year-old in 1935 - and people don't want to change this.

A new survey conducted by Pollara Strategic Insights suggests 56 percent of Canadians are against changing Elizabeth II’s image on the bill.

PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo.

The bill itself is unique, with it being the only banknote to ever include the image of a non-reigning member of the Royal Family.

Queen Elizabeth acceded to the throne in 1953 upon the death of her father King George VI.

The key findings from the study revealed Canadians have ‘mixed views’ on King Charles III, who acceded his mother on 8 September following her death.

Only 24 percent of Canadians think the face of King Charles III should be on their money.

With a sample size of 1,325 adults over the age of 18, the respondents appeared to be ‘considerably more favourable towards his sons’, Prince William and Prince Harry.

Bank of Canada.

According to the Pollara survey, although there is ‘no consensus on Canada’s future as a constitutional monarchy,’ more Canadians – the majority being 18-34 years old - would rather say goodbye than stay.

Canada’s dependence on British Parliament ended with the introduction of the 1982 Canada Act. However, the country is still a constitutional monarchy and part of the commonwealth, along with Australia, The Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Tuvalu.

Quebecers - who are strongly identified with their French roots - are also the least supportive of Canada remaining a constitutional monarchy.

Bayne Stanley/Alamy Stock Photo.

Ultimately the decision around who appears on Canada’s legal tender rests in the hands of the Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland.

Canada currently has no plans to put King Charles III on their money.

In a statement shared with Fortune, Paul Badertscher, spokesperson for the Bank of Canada, said: “The current polymer $20 bank note is intended to circulate for years to come. There is no legislative requirement to change the design within a prescribed period when the Monarch changes.

“As always, the Minister of Finance is responsible for approving the form and material of any new bank note, including the portrait subject”.

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