Anne of Green Gables author left off banknote shortlist

Lucy Maud Montgomery is not on the short list of iconic Canadian women who may be featured on the next series of banknotes. 

The Anne of Green Gables author, who was born on P.E.I. in 1874, was one of 12 women originally considered to appear on the banknotes. But she was not among the five finalists announced Thursday by the Bank of Canada.

• Bank of Canada announces list of women being considered for bank note

The final honouree and the denomination of the bill on which she will appear is to be announced on Dec. 8 by Finance Minister Bill Morneau and Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz.

The new regular circulation banknote — the first in a forthcoming series — is expected to begin appearing in 2018.

Short list

Here is the short list of women still under consideration:

• Viola Desmond (1914-1965): A black businesswoman from Nova Scotia who famously challenged racial segregation at a film theatre in her home province.
• E. Pauline Johnson (1861-1913): A poet and writer whose performances reflect both English and Mohawk traditions and who is recognized as helping to shape Canadian literature.
• Elizabeth (Elsie) MacGill (1905-1980): The world's first female aircraft designer. She worked as an aeronautical engineer during the Second World War.
• Fanny (Bobbie) Rosenfeld (1905-1969): An Olympian who won gold in the relay race and silver in the 100 metre dash at the 1928 summer Olympics.
• Idola Saint-Jean (1880-1945): A Quebec journalist, educator and feminist who fought for the women's vote in Quebec.

The woman named on Dec. 8 will not be the first Canadian female to appear on a banknote. The Famous 5 — Emily Murphy, Irene Marryat Parlby, Nellie Mooney McClung, Louise Crummy McKinney and Henrietta Muir Edwards — who fought for women's rights in Canada, and Thérèse Casgrain, a Quebec feminist, were featured on the back of the $50 bill between 2004 and 2012.

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