February 10, 2005 (OTTAWA) -- The Royal Canadian Mint announced today that it has received over 45,000 votes for the Alberta and Saskatchewan Centennial Quarter Program. Alberta designs received 23,443 votes and Saskatchewan designs received 21,827. Canadians can still vote for their favourite designs until the February 17, 2005, deadline. Once the vote period is complete, the results will be tallied and designs will be presented to the Government of Canada for approval. Designs for each province will be unveiled this summer, when the coins are issued into circulation. " The Mint is delighted with the overwhelming participation in the Alberta and Saskatchewan Centennial Coin vote", said David C. Dingwall, President and C.E.O. of the Royal Canadian Mint. "The enthusiastic response confirms our belief that Canadians want to be engaged and involved in selecting commemorative coin themes, and to a greater extent, the cultural landscape of our country". The Mint will produce up to 20 million coins for each province, subject to market demand. Various collector coin products are also planned. To vote for coin designs, Canadians can go to the Mint's website at www.mint.ca. Voting information and links will also be available at www.sask2005.ca and www.albertacentennial.ca. To cast a vote by telephone in Alberta, please call 1-877-884-5550 and for Saskatchewan, 1-877-884-5557. The Royal Canadian Mint, an ISO 9001-2000 certified company, is the Crown Corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada's circulation coins. In operation since 1908, the Royal Canadian Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale. For more information on the Royal Canadian Mint, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca. -30- Information: Phil TaylorManager, CommuniationsTel: (613) 993-9999Tel: (613) 991-5342Cellular: (613) 797-9125Taylorp@mint.ca
