Learn about our principles of bank note design, other considerations of the design process, and the highlights of our public consultations on bank notes.
Our principles of design
We use the following principles when developing and designing new bank notes. They serve as the guiding factors for how visual content (theme, subject matter and images) is selected.
Security
Security is the most important factor when designing a note, as we are committed to supplying Canadians with quality bank notes that are readily accepted and secure against counterfeiting. Visual content must support the chosen security elements, even if the robust security features impose limits on the design.
Functionality and recognizability
Bank notes must be functional and usable in automated banking machines (ABMs) and other cash-handling machines. They must also be recognizable as Canadian notes and readily accepted as a means of payment. Certain visual elements may be kept from one series to the next to support these goals.
Accessibility
The design supports our commitment to providing blind and partially-sighted Canadians with an effective suite of accessibility features so they can recognize bank note denominations.
Official languages
In accordance with the Bank of Canada Act, bank notes are printed in both English and French.
Reflects Canada
A new bank note is a unique opportunity to represent Canada. Each new note depicts new visual content so that, over time, the diversity of Canadian society, culture and achievements are celebrated. Bank notes:
- promote Canada and Canadians, including our values, culture, history, traditions, achievements or natural heritage
- use clearly identifiable Canadian symbols, words or images
- are meaningful to Canadians today and for years to come
- evoke pride and confidence in Canada
Broad appeal to Canadians
Bank notes combine art and technology. They integrate visual content with security features and functional requirements. The result is secure, aesthetically pleasing bank notes that have broad appeal among Canadians.
Our design process
To satisfy these principles and provide additional clarity about our bank note design process, we take the following key elements into consideration.
The role of the Minister of Finance
The Bank of Canada Act states that “the form and material of the notes of the Bank shall be subject to approval by the Minister [of Finance].” As such, we consult the Minister of Finance throughout the process.
In addition, we consult with relevant experts, organizations and government departments to ensure that the chosen subject-matter elements are appropriately depicted.
Input from Canadians
Now more than ever, Canadians wish to be consulted on matters that affect them—and to design bank notes that have broad appeal and reflect Canada, we need input from Canadians. Therefore, we:
- consult openly and with a large number of Canadians on the development of visual content for new bank notes (theme, subject matter and images)
- use a variety of approaches and technologies to ensure our consultations are broad and representative of a cross-section of Canada’s population
- invite Canadians to contribute ideas toward the selection of bank note images
- determine the appetite for changes in the established conventions regarding bank note design (for example, whether the portrait subjects should change)
- report back to Canadians on the results of any consultation to ensure greater transparency around the design process
Highlights of public consultations
In 2014, the Bank of Canada reviewed the process used to select, develop and design the visual content for the Frontiers series bank notes. After the review, we developed a set of bank note design principles and invited Canadians to comment on them.
Of the nearly 2,000 Canadians who responded, 80 percent said they supported the principles. There was considerable interest in how bank notes reflect Canada. Many respondents commented on gender equality, multiculturalism, and Indigenous representation. Others contributed ideas around including images of iconic Canadians, activities, achievements, and landscapes.
Our response
We thank all those who contributed their ideas. Canadians are clearly interested in being consulted on the visual content of bank notes, and we are committed to including their input. We’ve now used these principles of design in bank notes like:
Vertical $5 bank note featuring Terry Fox
- See the summary reports from focus groups and a public opinion survey.
Vertical $10 bank note featuring Viola Desmond (2018)
- See the results of the bank NOTE-able Canadian woman public consultation.
- Explore the vertical $10 note.
Canada 150 commemorative $10 bank note (2017)
- See the results of the Canada 150 public consultation campaign.
- Explore the Canada 150 note.