Skip to content
  • FR
FR
  • About us
    Building, illuminated glass towers on either side of an old, square, stone building.

    About us

    We're here to help you understand what the Bank of Canada does and how it matters to you.

    About the Bank of Canada

    Find out what the Bank does, who runs the Bank and how it is separate from the political process.

    Connect with us

    We'd love to hear from you! Contact us by email, phone or mail—or join us on social media.

  • Visit

    Visit

    • Plan your visit
    • Accessibility and special needs
    • Code of conduct
    • COVID-19 protocols

    Plan your visit

    Here's what you need to know, how to make the most of your visit and where to find us.

    Sensory Sundays

    For Autism Awareness Month, the Museum will provide a sensory-friendly experience every Sunday.

  • Explore

    Exhibitions

    • Permanent exhibition
    • Special exhibitions
    • Travelling exhibitions
    • Past exhibitions

    Blog

    Collection

    • About the Collection
    • Collection Services
    • Canadian Bank Notes Series
    • Search the Collection
    Collage, photo of wild west street, old bank notes, old counterfeiting brochure.

    Security is in the bank note

    Security printing is a game of anticipating and responding to criminal threats. Counterfeiting is a game of anticipating and responding to bank note design. This cat and mouse relationship affects every aspect of a bank note.

  • Learn

    Learn

    • Activities and games
    • Education blog
    • External resources
    • Lesson plans
    • School programs
    • Video discussion guides

    Needs or wants? That is the question!

    Do you need it, or do you want it? That’s an important question to ask before buying anything. This activity is designed to teach kids how to prioritize their needs and wants, and how to make informed choices when shopping.

    Price check: Inflation in Canada

    All about inflation: what it is, what it means and how it's measured. Students will learn how the consumer price index is calculated and create their own student price index to measure the prices that matter most to them.

Notice of temporary closure
The Museum will be closed on Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30 for maintenance.
  • Home
  • Multimedia

Funds Management: The Government’s Bank Account

Where does the government keep its money? At the Bank of Canada. The Bank also ensures that the government has enough money to meet its daily needs and is able to provide the services you rely on. Learn about the Bank’s role as the government’s banker.

Download the video transcript.

Discussion guide

After you’ve watched this video with your students, use this guide to explore key concepts and lead a discussion.

This video is part of a series on funds management. See also Selling Bonds and Foreign Currency Holdings.

Key concepts

  • The Bank of Canada handles the federal government’s money.
  • The Bank of Canada also helps forecast how much money the government needs for its own spending.

Group discussion

Ask the following questions.

Why does the government need its own banker?

The government needs a bank just like you do. It needs a place to store the money it receives from taxes and other sources. But it also needs help directing and investing income and managing debt. The Bank of Canada handles the government’s money to make sure there is always enough on hand to pay for the services it delivers to Canadians.

What types of things does the government need money for?

Different levels of government—federal, provincial and municipal (cities and towns)—are responsible for paying for different things, and each level has its own taxes. Some of the provincial and municipal money also comes down from federal government income as transfer payments to help fund their programs. This money pays for various things in society, such as health care, education, roads, police, welfare, old-age pensions, the military and infrastructure like bridges and sewers. But the list is longer—it may also include supporting the arts, small businesses, sports and cultural institutions, like museums.

Why doesn’t the government manage its own money?

Typically, governments are in office from four to eight years, and their ministers may change many times. Federal government funds need to be managed away from the influence of the political process, which often has very short-term interests. The Bank of Canada is a “crown corporation.” Crown corporations are owned by the government but are not controlled by the government. The Bank of Canada executes long-term plans to maintain a healthy economy, free from political influence. The money is, after all, Canadians’ money—regardless of who is in office.

We want to hear from you

Comment or suggestion? Fill out this form.
Questions? Send us an email.


    * denotes a required field.

    Content type(s): Multimedia
    Subject(s): Economy
    Grade level(s): Grade 07 / Secondary 1, Grade 08 / Secondary 2, Grade 09 / Secondary 3, Grade 10 / Secondary 4, Grades 11 and 12 / Secondary 5 and CEGEP

    On this page

    30 Bank Street
    Ottawa, ON
    K1A 0G9, CANADA
    613‑782‑8914

    • Things to do

    • Plan your visit
    • Find educational resources
    • Search the Collection
    • Connect with us
    • Things to see

    • Canadian bank notes
    • Exhibitions
    • Blog
    • Videos
    • Things to know

    • Accessibility and special needs
    • Code of conduct
    • COVID-19 protocols
    • Privacy
    ●●
    Bank of Canada Museum

    Visit the Bank of Canada web site ›

    We use cookies to help us keep improving this website.

    Accept and continue