It’s the end of the line for the penny.
The federal budget released last week included an announcement that Canada is joining the U.K. and Australia in dropping the penny from production. One reason – it costs 1.6 cents to produce.
While the penny is being phased out, the News Bulletin isn’t ending its Pennies for Presents campaign, and will still accept as many of the coins (as well as any other denomination) as people contribute.
Pennies for Presents is the News Bulletin’s annual fundraising effort, which collects donations of pennies and other coins to be distributed between three charities – Great Nanaimo Toy Drive, Salvation Army and the Nanaimo Boys and Girls Club – at Christmas.
The final production of pennies from the Royal Canadian Mint is scheduled for fall, but if readers want to donate their coins early, the News Bulletin will accept donations to the Pennies for Presents campaign in spring and summer. We’ll roll ’em and donate ’em, just like we have for more than a decade.
Please drop off donations to the News Bulletin office at 777 Poplar St., at the north end of Terminal Park mall. For more information, please call 250-734-4627 or e-mail arts@nanaimobulletin.com.