In the first of our That Was Then, This is Now series, we trace the show's coverage of the changing face of the Canadian $10 bill — from the design introduced in 1971 featuring Sir John A. MacDonald, to the current version featuring civil rights activist Viola Desmond.
For nearly 50 years, the changing design of the $10 banknote has faced strong resistance
This episode of the archive edition of As it Happens traces the evolution of the Canadian $10 bill's design, and how the show covered it over the years— beginning in 1971, when the country's first prime minister, John A. MacDonald, replaced the Queen as the face of the bill.
Last year, ViolaDesmond became the new face of the $10 banknote —a national symbol of the struggles faced by Canadians of colour across the country, and of their efforts to overcome racial discrimination.
In 1946, Desmond, a black woman, refused to give up her seat in the whites-only section of a Nova Scotia cinema.She was arrested and jailed for tax evasion of one penny — the price difference between a balcony and floor seat ticket. She was released after paying a fine, and appealed her conviction in court— but lost.
As it Happens has conducted a number of interviews on both Desmond's legacy and the changing face of Canadian currency over the years.
You can listen to the full interviews contained in this episode as originally broadcast below, or click on the Listen arrow above to hear the episode ofAs it Happened.
Putting on a brave face
From 2016, As it Happens host Carol Offinterviews Desmond's sister Wanda Robsonafter Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced the new $10 bill.
Not buying it
From 1971, an interview with a disgruntled John Diefenbaker, Canada's 13th prime minister, who objected to the Pierre Trudeau government's decision to replace the likeness of the Queen with that of John A.MacDonald on the $10 bill.
Face value
A 1994 interview with Raymond Lloyd, a former official with the United NationsFood and Agricultural Organization, who travelled the world on his own dime to try to convince governments— including Canada's— to put more women on their currency.
Countingon her
In 2006, sister Robson shared another story about her sister Viola — of how she stood up for Robson in a time of need. Here's some of what she told CBC Halifax's Maritime Magazine in 2006.
As it Happened: the Archive Edition. Radio you can take to the bank.
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