Article content
Amid bitter trade tensions with the Trump administration, a redesigned Canadian $20 bank note was officially unveiled Thursday featuring a portrait of King Charles, who hailed Canada as “indeed strong and free” amid hostility from the U.S.
Sign In or Create an Account
or View more offersArticle content
The new vertical note, the second in the Bank of Canada’s vertical series, was held out at an official unveiling in Ottawa Thursday as “more than a piece of currency” — and the most popular one at that among Canadians.
Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.Article content
Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
“It’s also a reflection of the strength and stability of Canada’s financial system, one of the most trusted in the world and an important foundation of our economic resilience,” said Liberal MP Wayne Long, secretary of state for the Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions.
Article contentArticle content
In addition to being “a beautiful work of art,” the new bank note, like all Canadian currency, is a “symbol of confidence,” Long said. “Confidence in our institutions, confidence in our economy and confidence in our future.”
Article content
The unveiling might seem a strategically timed move to shore up support from the King, who, during his official visit to the White House in April reminded U.S. President Donald Trump, who’d been taunting Canadians with “51st state” rhetoric and references to Prime Minister Mark Carney as “governor,” that the monarch is Canada’s official head of state.
Article content
The U.S. and Canada were set to host the FIFA World Cup. “So in one sense, Mr. President, as heads of state, we are joint hosts,” the King said at the time.
Article content
Last year, the King declared “the True North is indeed strong and free” during an historic throne speech opening Parliament.
Article content
Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
In addition to featuring distinctive symbols of Canadian identity, Canada’s currency “affirms our sovereignty and our determination to define ourselves in the eyes of the world on our own terms,” Governor General Louise Arbour said.
Article contentRead More
- Carney tells U.S. to stop ‘doing memes’ and ‘throwing shade’ as war of words escalates
- Trump renaming Lake Ontario ‘like something out of Saturday Night Live,’ says Ford
- Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
The new vertical $20 bill is “both visually stunning and more secure than ever,” Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem said at Thursday’s unveiling (the new note won’t enter circulation until February 2027).
Article content
The “dynamic features” on the new, and still predominantly green bill are “easy to check, and hard to fake,” Macklem said.
Article content
For example, tilting the purple security stripe makes images of maple leaves, poppies and 20s pulse, spin and move, features to help thwart counterfeiters and allow Canadians to easily authenticate the new note.
Article content
The portrait of King Charles on the front is surrounded by a “floral and leafy tapestry inspired by the King’s lifetime dedication to the environment,” reads a Bank of Canada press release.
Article content
It is the first bank note to feature a portrait of the King since his accession to the throne following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on Sept. 8, 2022.