Canada has unveiled a redesigned $20 banknote featuring King Charles III, marking the first appearance of the monarch on the country’s paper currency.
The new green polymer note was presented in Ottawa on September 3, 2026, by Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem alongside senior government officials.
According to the Bank of Canada, the note will gradually enter circulation in late February 2027. It will be the first time in more than 70 years that a new monarch has appeared on Canada’s $20 denomination.
King Charles succeeded Queen Elizabeth II following her death in September 2022. His portrait has appeared on Canadian coins since 2023, but the new $20 note will be the first Canadian banknote to carry his image.
A new vertical design
The redesigned $20 note uses a vertical format similar to Canada’s $10 note, which features civil rights pioneer and businesswoman Viola Desmond.
King Charles III appears on the front of the note as Canada’s head of state. His portrait is surrounded by flowers, leaves and other botanical elements inspired by his interest in environmental protection and sustainability.
The front also carries the floral emblems of Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories. Their stems and leaves are based on designs found in the Books of Remembrance kept on Parliament Hill.
A transparent circular window contains images of four plants with cultural significance to Indigenous peoples in Canada. They are wild strawberries, western red cedar, braided sweetgrass and Arctic cotton.
The Bank of Canada said the plants represent sustenance, gratitude and healing. Its Indigenous Advisory Circle helped select the plants and contributed to that part of the design.
Vimy Memorial retained
The back of the banknote retains the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France.
The memorial stands at the site of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, where Canadian forces fought during the First World War in April 1917. It commemorates Canadian soldiers who served during the conflict, including those who died and have no known graves.
Images of poppies also appear on the note as a symbol of remembrance for those who died in war.
The Bank of Canada said the memorial was retained to recognise Canada’s military service and sacrifices throughout its history.
New security features introduced
The banknote includes security features that have not previously appeared on Canadian currency.
A purple security strip contains visual elements that spin, change and appear to pulse when the note is moved. The central bank said the features are intended to make the note easier for the public to authenticate and more difficult to counterfeit.
Accessibility features include raised ink on the King’s portrait, tactile markings, large high-contrast numbers and the familiar green colour associated with Canada’s $20 denomination.
The Bank of Canada’s design guide states that the note will measure approximately 152 millimetres by 70 millimetres.
Governor Macklem described the redesigned note as symbolic and secure, saying its images reflect Canada’s natural environment and history.
Preparation before circulation
Before the new note enters circulation, the Bank of Canada will work with financial institutions, retailers, law enforcement agencies and companies that manufacture cash-handling equipment.
Businesses using banknote readers, cash machines and processing equipment may need to contact their suppliers about software or equipment adjustments.
The central bank said this preparation would help ensure a smooth introduction and allow people and businesses to recognise the note’s design and security features.
Global News also confirmed that the new note is the first Canadian paper currency to feature King Charles III.
Although the design has now been unveiled, the note cannot yet be obtained from banks or used for transactions. Canadians will begin seeing it gradually after circulation starts in late February 2027.
