Canada becomes first Commonwealth nation outside Britain to put King Charles on banknote
By Aboki Forex —
Canada has unveiled a new $20 banknote featuring King Charles III, making it the first Commonwealth country outside Britain to put the monarch on its paper money since he ascended the throne. The note was revealed at a Bank of Canada event on Thursday, which central bank governor Tiff Macklem called a "very special day".
Design and features
The banknote is vertically oriented, a first for Canada's $20 bill. The back carries an image of the Vimy Ridge memorial in France, honouring Canada's role in World War I. The front also shows a floral and leafy tapestry "inspired by the King's lifetime dedication to the environment", according to the Bank of Canada.
It is Canada's second vertical banknote. The first was the $10 bill featuring Black civil rights advocate Viola Desmond, whose design was named the best in the world in 2018 by the International Bank Note Society. Some elements of the new note were chosen in consultation with an Indigenous advisory council, the central bank added.
What officials said
Wayne Long, a Liberal MP and secretary of state for the Canada Revenue Agency, said at the unveiling that the symbols on the banknote "serve as a powerful reminder of who we are as a nation and what we value." Macklem said the new $20 note will enter circulation early next year.
King Charles III is the first new monarch to appear on a Canadian banknote in more than 70 years, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. The King is Canada's head of state and is represented in the country by Governor General Louise Arbour.
Monarchy debate and context
The Commonwealth nations of New Zealand and Australia have placed the King on their coins, but Australia has said it will not feature him on banknotes. Instead, Australia plans to release a new $5 banknote paying tribute to "the culture and history" of Indigenous Australians, replacing the current design with Queen Elizabeth II.
Polling suggests many Canadians believe the country should end its formal ties to the British monarchy, especially in Quebec. But support for the monarchy rose slightly as tensions grew between Canada and the US, including the ongoing trade war and President Donald Trump's comments about making Canada the "51st state".
Prime Minister Mark Carney has invited the King to open Canada's parliament in May, a visit Carney said "clearly underscores the sovereignty of our country."