- January
- The Royal Canadian Mint conducts an opinion poll on public preference and acceptance of a possible $2 coin. 79 percent favor the introduction of a $2 coin because of the cost savings. 78 percent favor a bimetallic coin slightly larger than the current $1 coin. [323] [816.1]
- January 16
- The Minister of Public Works and Government Services unveils the second $1 coin in the Peace and Remembrance series. It features the Peacekeeping Monument in Ottawa, on the reverse. [53] [321] [396.5]
- February
- A report by Environics Research Group on consumer response to a $2 coin finds that the public would prefer the $2 bill over a $2 coin. [367.A11]
- February 27
- The Government of Canada announces its intention to replace the $2 bill with a $2 coin in 1996. [257] [323] [367.A11] [368.A6] [816.1] [1198.564]
- March 4
- Environomics Research Group begins conducting a Canadian national survey on behalf of the Royal Canadian Mint to canvass public opinion on the design theme for a circulating $2 coin. [81.1] [328] [371.A6]
- March 31
- The Minister of Public Works and Government Services announces the government's intention to make the 1c coin of bronze-plated steel, and the 5c-50c coins of nickel-plated steel, effective January 1, 1996. The reason for the change is to make the coins cheaper to produce. [117.7] [322] [404.B16] [405.B6]
- April 4
- Environomics Research Group completes its survey to canvas public opinion on the design theme for a circulating $2 coin. 44 percent indicated wildlife as their first choice, of which 5 percent said they favored a bear, of which 2 percent specified a polar bear. [371.A6]
- April
- Bill C-82 is introduced in the House of Commons, to create a circulating $2 coin. [403.B2]
- May 30
- Bill C-82, the legislation to create a circulating $2 coin, passes second reading in the House of Commons. [367.A11]
- May 31
- The Royal Canadian Mint begins seeking quotes from manufacturers to produce blanks for the proposed circulating $2 coin. [367.A11]
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- June 13
- The Royal Canadian Mint unveils $2 test tokens to the House of Commons Government Operations Committee. The proposed coins are bi-metallic, with aluminum-bronze core and nickel outer ring. Weight is 7.3 grams, with 28mm diameter. [50.1]
- (month unknown)
- The Canadian government authorizes Canada's circulating coins to be changed to plated steel. [526.33]
- July 13
- Legislation to create a circulating $2 coin receives royal assent. [372.A6] [435.A3]
- September 21
- The Minister of Public Works and Government Services announces at the Metro Toronto Zoo that the new $2 coin will feature a polar bear on the reverse. The design chosen was created by artist Brent Townsend. [177.A5] [328] [370.10] [402.A12] [435.A3] [1200.1493] (September 14 [81.1] [847.18])
- September 23
- Danielle Wetherup, Master of the Mint, announces that metallic changes to circulating coins will not take place in 1996, but will in 1997. [117.7]
- (month unknown)
- The Royal Canadian Mint launches its Web site on the Internet. First story announces the $2 coin. [413.8]
- October 16
- A Royal proclamation specifies that the design of a $2 coin depict a polar bear. The coin is specified to have a core of aluminum bronze, and an outer ring of pure nickel. [485.2906]
- October
- Krause Publications releases the 1996 North American Coins & Prices - A Guide To U.S., Canadian and Mexican Coins book, by David Harper. price is US$14.95. [831.28]
- November
- David Dingwall, Minister responsible for the Royal Canadian Mint, announces that the 1c coin would change composition to copper-plated steel or zinc next July 1. The composition of 5c-50c coins is to change to nickel-plated steel on July 1, 1997. [168.19] [242.1]
- November 20
- The Royal Canadian Mint announces The Great Canadian Coin Kit, Young Collector's Edition. The kit is intended to introduce children over 8 years to coin collecting. It sells for $24.95. [168.1]
- December 5
- The Winnipeg branch of the Royal Canadian Mint begins striking new $2 coins for circulation. [170.A3] [180.4] [181.1] [185] [257] [374.A3] [435.A3]
- December
- The Royal Canadian Mint sells out its run of 20,000 $2 test tokens. [180.4]
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