Canada yesterday became the first Commonwealth nation beyond Britain to place King Charles III on its banknotes, unveiling a striking new vertical $20 note at a ceremony in Ottawa.
The polymer bill, revealed by Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem at a special event, replaces the image of the late Queen Elizabeth II – marking the first time in over seven decades that a new monarch has graced Canadian currency.
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Governor General Louise Arbour and Secretary of State Wayne Long were also present for what Macklem called “a very special day.”
The note is set to enter circulation gradually from late February 2027, and represents the most widely used denomination in Canadian commerce.
The decision to feature the King was first announced during his coronation celebrations in 2023.
His Majesty’s portrait sits at the centre of the front face, framed by an ornate tapestry of flowers and foliage that draws inspiration from the King’s well-documented commitment to environmental causes.
Floral emblems representing all 13 of Canada’s provinces and territories also adorn the front, lending the design a distinctly national character.
The note is predominantly green, printed on polymer, and follows a vertical format – only the second Canadian banknote to adopt this orientation.
Queen Elizabeth II had first appeared on the Bank of Canada’s inaugural $20 note back in 1935, when she was still a young princess.
On the reverse, the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France remains a central motif, serving as a tribute to the sacrifices made by Canadians across military conflicts throughout the nation’s history.
The note boasts security technologies that have never previously appeared on Canadian currency. A purple security stripe features dynamic elements that spin, transform and pulse as the bill is tilted, making it straightforward for users to authenticate yet exceptionally difficult for counterfeiters to replicate.
“This new $20 bank note is striking, symbolic and secure,” Governor Macklem declared.
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“The note’s advanced and dynamic security features are combined with images that reflect Canada’s beauty and its history. I hope it evokes pride in Canada and confidence in its bank notes.”
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said the note “honours our constitutional traditions through the portrait of His Majesty King Charles III and recognises the service and sacrifice of Canadians through the Vimy Memorial, a symbol that continues to resonate across generations.”
Secretary of State Long described it as “a symbol Canadians can carry with pride.”
Canada’s decision stands in contrast to Australia, which has opted not to feature the King on its banknotes at all, instead planning a new $5 note celebrating Indigenous Australian culture and history. New Zealand and Australia have, however, placed him on their coinage.
The move carries symbolic weight at a time when polling indicates many Canadians – particularly in francophone Quebec – favour severing formal ties with the British monarchy.
Though royal sentiment has enjoyed a modest resurgence amid escalating tensions with Washington, including the ongoing trade dispute and President Donald Trump’s provocative remarks about absorbing Canada as a “51st state.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney invited the King to open Parliament in May, a gesture he said “clearly underscores the sovereignty of our country.”
The King remains Canada’s head of state, represented domestically by Governor General Arbour.
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