While the fall economic statement was marred with uncertainties after Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland’s cabinet resignation, there was one thing that came out of it that brought Canadians together — the announcement that Terry Fox would be the next Canadian featured on the $5 bill.
The reveal is found deep in the federal government’s budget document, which was released on Monday.
“Terry Fox is a Canadian hero,” it reads. “He campaigned to raise awareness and funding
for cancer research by running his Marathon of Hope, a cross-Canada 42-km daily run, on his prosthetic leg.”
The Marathon of Hope had raised $24.7 million or $1 for every Canadian by February 1981. Fox’s run was interrupted just past the halfway point in Thunder Bay, Ontario, when the cancer he was battling reached his lungs.
The Canadian icon has left a lasting legacy with Terry Fox Runs held every year across the country and around the world to continue raising money for cancer research.
The government says it’s putting Fox on the bill “to inspire more Canadians to give $5 to the cause that Terry Fox championed.”
Fox will appear on the next $5 banknote, and the current face of the bill, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, will move from the $5 bill to the next version of the $50 note.
“Through his efforts, the 22-year-old showed Canadians the difference that an ordinary person could make through sheer willpower and determination,” reads the fall economic statement.
After a political news day that left Canadians divided, filled with calls for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to resign, this announcement was something that everyone could agree on.
“No matter your political leanings, I think we can all agree Terry Fox on the $5 bill is an A+++ move,” shared one person on X.
No matter your political leanings, I think we can all agree Terry Fox on the $5 bill is an A+++ move
— John Rodenburg (@TSNJR) December 17, 2024
Terry Fox to appear on the $5 bill is the Canadian news that I needed today.
A true Canadian hero.
— Roddy 🇨🇦 (@RodKahx) December 16, 2024
Everyone in Canada seeing Terry Fox finally get chosen to feature on the $5 bill pic.twitter.com/Ut4gVIFvZ1
— 613trending (@613trending) December 16, 2024
Many said it was long overdue.
“Finally, this should have happened ages ago,” reads a comment on Reddit.
Several accounts online have shared mock-ups of what the bill could possibly look like, but it has not been confirmed by the government.
#BREAKING: It’s FINALLY happening, Terry Fox will be on the $5 bill pic.twitter.com/elrJBUW5Fo
— Made In Canada (@MadelnCanada) December 16, 2024
The current mayor of Fox’s hometown, Port Coquitlam, also shared a heartwarming message.
“On behalf of the people of Port Coquitlam, I want to express our immense pride that our hometown hero is being honoured as the new face on Canada’s $5 bill,” Brad West shared on X.
Terry Fox’s legacy transcends differences—his courage and determination continues to inspire and unite not just his hometown of Port Coquitlam, but people from all over the world. On behalf of the people of Port Coquitlam, I want to express our immense pride that our hometown… pic.twitter.com/F5w7dPhj05
— Brad West (@BradWestPoCo) December 16, 2024
The fall economic statement did not specify when we’d start seeing Fox on the $5 bill.