Currency
We issue and distribute Canada’s iconic bank notes.
We ensure that our country’s bank notes are secure, reliable and trusted by Canadians. We also study how Canadians pay for goods and services—from cash to digital forms of money.
Issuing bank notes
Design and production
It takes several years to design and issue new bank notes, and every note is a combination of art and technology. This includes developing new and enhanced security features to stay ahead of counterfeiters.
Once a new design is ready, we work closely with many different stakeholders—such as law enforcement, accessibility groups and financial institutions—to prepare and facilitate a new note’s introduction.
Our bank notes are printed by the Canadian Bank Note Company, a private-sector security printer.
Distribution and quality
Through Canada’s Bank Note Distribution System, we supply financial institutions with the bank notes they need to satisfy public demand.
We also control the flow and quality of notes. From printing new bank notes to monitoring those that are already in circulation, we ensure that notes handled in day-to-day transactions are in good condition so that Canadians can easily verify their authenticity and use them with pride.
All bank notes received at our operations centres are inspected on high-speed note-processing equipment. When they become worn or damaged, polymer notes are shredded and then recycled.
Fighting counterfeiting
Education and awareness
Our regional offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montréal and Halifax offer currency training and education for law enforcement, financial institutions, and retailers. We are also dedicated to building awareness and educating the public about Canadian bank notes and their security features.Counterfeit deterrence
We regularly engage with our law enforcement partners to monitor and combat counterfeiting in Canada. We advocate counterfeit deterrence through law enforcement and the courts. And we offer training and legal tools to help police and Crown prosecutors bring counterfeiters to justice.
Conducting research
How Canadians pay for things is always evolving. We conduct ongoing research to understand the demand for and use of cash, and the use and evolution of digital currencies and fintech.
Find out more
We play a pivotal role in issuing secure and reliable bank notes. We are committed to maintaining the integrity of Canadian currency by conducting rigorous research, advancing bank note security and providing public education.