A movement is underway to convince the Royal Canadian Mint to reconsider a decision not to issue a commemorative coin depicting the Highway of Heroes.

As of Wednesday morning, the local councils for Cobourg, Port Hope, Trent Hills and LaSalle, Ont. had all passed motions supporting the creation of such a coin.

Northumberland MP Rick Norlock also weighed in Wednesday, saying he would be taking up the cause in Ottawa.

The Highway of Heroes is the section of Highway 401 between Trenton and Toronto used to transport soldiers killed in Afghanistan, after they are repatriated to CFB Trenton.

Local residents crowd the overpasses and bridges, carrying flags, signs, and often standing at attention to solemnly honour the fallen as they pass by.

The Mint, in correspondence provided to CTV.ca, initially supported the idea for a coin when it was proposed in February by Pete Fisher, a Cobourg-based photographer and reporter who has covered the military repatriations for years.

"This suggestion is one that we like very much and, in fact, one that received very favourable response when tested with coin consumers," wrote Francie Baltzan, communications co-ordinator for the Mint.

"The Mint is therefore in the process of considering how best to honour this solemn route and those who have travelled it, as well as to underscore the spontaneous outpouring of public support for our fallen heroes."

The email goes on to say the Mint would be in contact with Fisher "as we move through this process."

However, in her next email sent months later in November, in response to a follow up email from Fisher, Baltzan says the Mint has decided against the coin because it's too difficult to fit the concept on a 25-cent piece.

"The sentiment behind this is (sic) theme is an honourable one, but designing a coin that accurately depicts the Highway of Heroes while honouring the sentiment has proven to be difficult," Baltzan wrote.

"I am sorry to pass on this disappointing news, but please know that we are working on several other products, for 2011 and beyond, that honour the Canadian Forces -- past and present -- and their sacrifices."

Municipal councils get on board

Fisher, who was dismayed at the apparent about-face, began approaching local politicians about the situation and asking for help.

It didn't take long for local councils to get on board.

Cobourg Mayor Peter Delanty said his council unanimously passed a motion supporting the idea, and will send a letter to the Mint asking for the decision to be reconsidered.

"I think it's a really honourable thing we do and I'm at my wits end to understand why this would suddenly be stalled and blocked," Delanty told CTV.ca.

"So I gave wholehearted support for it and I just have no understanding why this really laudable thing to do is being blocked somewhere along the line."

He said the Mint seems to have "no hesitation" about honouring musicians and sports teams with special issue coins, but has balked at recognizing a movement by ordinary Canadians to honour fallen soldiers.

Delanty said every bridge between Trenton and Port Hope is packed with firefighters, police officers, and "common ordinary folks, whether it's rain or shine, day or night" when a repatriation takes place.

"I really think it's something worthwhile and I guess I'm concerned that it has been turned down," he said.

Mint downplays earlier comments

Christine Aquino, director of communications for the Mint, played down the correspondence between Fisher and Baltzan.

In an interview with CTV.ca on Wednesday morning she said that while the Mint turned down the suggestion for 2010, it is still under consideration for future pressings.

"We are aware of this coin suggestion and we're inspired by the outpouring of emotion in support of the Highway of Heroes," Aquino said.

"And while we understand the initial dissapointment that the scene suggestion wasn't chosen for this year, it is possible that it could be selected in the future."

The correspondence from Baltzan explained that the coin was turned down because it was too complicated a concept for such a small canvas. But Aquino said the decision was in fact made because another coin concept was chosen for 2010 on the theme of remembrance.

The Mint issued a coin for 2010 depicting a soldier flanked by two poppies, in honour of the 65th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. While the Mint issues several commemorative coins each year, only one is issued on the remembrance theme, she said.

"Perhaps we maybe could have been more definitive in the letter that while it wasn't chosen for this year, because we had something else to commemorate this year, we are looking into it for the future," Aquino said.

Mayor Delanty said he's fed up with explanations and excuses and said its time for the Mint to take action.

"Let's get moving on this and get it done," Delanty said. "It's a small little way we can say say thank you."