Terry Fox top choice for new five-dollar banknote, survey says

The face of B.C.'s Terry Fox could one day appear on the five-dollar bill, if Canadians have anything to say about it.

Angus Reid conducted a survey on whose mug should next grace the five-note and 57 per cent of Canadians said Fox.

While Fox is the top option in every region of the country, others have also found support. Among them, said Angus Reid, famed Indigenous soldier Binaaswi (Francis Pegahmagabow) is chosen by one-in-five (21 per cent), including one-quarter of residents in Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Atlantic Canada. Crowfoot (Isapo-muxika), an integral part of Treaty 7 negotiations in Alberta, is chosen by one-in-five (19 per cent) as well.

While Canadians across the country have their own preferences, there is also a majority agreement on the change itself. More than three-in-five overall, and a majority in each region of the country, say it is a good idea to change the face of the five. But a significant segment, 37 per cent (including 57 per cent of past Conservative voters), disagree.

Residents in Quebec (34 per cent) and young women across the country (27 per cent) show considerable support for Robertine Barry, the first French-Canadian journalist and an advocate for women’s rights, as a candidate.

Past Conservative voters are much more likely to prefer Terry Fox as their choice (three-quarters do so), while those who support other parties like candidates other than him.

Laurier, Canada’s 7th Prime Minister, has graced the five-dollar bill for almost 50 years.

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