Canada has become the first Commonwealth nation, outside of the United Kingdom, to feature King Charles III on its currency following his accession to the throne.
The new note incorporates a botanical and leaf motif described by the Bank of Canada as being “inspired by the King’s lifetime dedication to environmental causes.”
Speaking at the official unveiling, Liberal Member of Parliament Wayne Long, who serves as Secretary of State for the Canada Revenue Agency, noted that the imagery on the banknote “serves as a powerful reminder of who we are as a nation and what we value.”
The central bank also confirmed that certain design elements were developed in partnership with an Indigenous advisory council.
This marks the second vertically oriented banknote issued in Canada. The first was the $10 bill, which honors Viola Desmond, a prominent Black civil rights advocate. The design of that note was recognized as the best in the world in 2018 by the International Bank Note Society.
According to Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem, the newly designed $20 banknote is expected to enter circulation early next year.
Public opinion polling indicates that a significant portion of Canadians favor severing the country’s formal constitutional ties to the British monarchy, a sentiment that is particularly strong in the French-speaking province of Quebec.
However, the monarchy’s standing in Canada experienced a slight increase amid rising diplomatic tensions between Canada and the United States. This shift has been attributed in part to the ongoing trade dispute and public remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the prospect of Canada becoming the “51st state.”
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Mark Carney extended an invitation to King Charles III to formally open Canada’s parliament in May. At the time, Carney characterized the visit as something that “clearly underscores the sovereignty of our country.”
King Charles III serves as Canada’s head of state, with Governor General Louise Arbour acting as his representative within the country.
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