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

    Money in 10 Questions: Kids Edition

    On view until Fall 2024. A play-based exhibition where kids learn the basics of money and personal finance—and have fun doing it.

    Family Fun Weekends

    Pop into the Museum for Family Fun Weekends this May 27 to 28, June 3 to 4 and June 10 to 11 for activities offering both financial know how and fun.

  • Explore

    Exhibitions

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

    Blog

    Collection

    • About the Collection
    • Collection Services
    • Canadian Bank Notes Series
    • Search the Collection

    Caring for your coins

    Coin collecting can be a fun and fascinating hobby. But there are a few things you should know to keep your collection safe and in good condition. Because coins aren’t as robust as you might imagine.

  • 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.

    Teaching math using money

    From skip counting to making change, working with money is a great way for students to practice math skills.

Notice of early closure
The Museum will be closed Tuesday, June 27 and Wednesday, June 28 for maintenance.
  • Home
  • Multimedia

The Life of a Polymer Bank Note

Examine the life of a polymer bank note from production to distribution and recycling.

Download the video transcript.

Discussion guide

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

Key concepts

  • The Bank of Canada designs, produces, distributes and recycles all Canadian bank notes.
  • Canada’s notes are made of polymer, a durable plastic specifically made for bank notes.
  • Bank notes include security features like holograms to protect against counterfeiting.
  • Worn or damaged notes are returned to the Bank of Canada to be shredded and recycled.

Comprehension check

Ask the following questions.

What are Canada’s bank notes made of?

Canada’s bank notes are made of durable polymer. Polymer can be used for all sorts of everyday objects, from clothing to electronics, diapers, food packaging and shampoo. The kind of polymer used to print bank notes—not just in Canada but in many other countries too—is a smooth, durable film. Canada was one of the first countries in the world to print its bank notes on polymer. Have you ever seen or used polymer notes in any other countries?

What are some of the features of polymer?

Polymer is durable—it isn’t damaged as easily as paper. A single polymer note lasts 2.5 times longer than a paper bank note, which means that it has less of an environmental impact than paper. It’s also recyclable and allows for innovative security features such as windows, holograms and extremely detailed printing. These features make Canadian bank notes harder to counterfeit.

Why are security features so important for bank notes?

It’s important to trust that your bank note is the real thing. A fake note can mean that a consumer or a business loses money. Security features on bank notes have evolved over the decades as technologies have changed. The more complex the security features are, the more difficult it is for someone to make a counterfeit, or fake bank note, that could be mistaken for a real one.

Group discussion

Ask the following questions.

  1. What are some features (images, symbols, security features) that you’ve noticed on Canadian bank notes? Why do you think they were included?
  2. What are some features you’ve noticed on bank notes from other countries? How are they similar to Canadian notes? How are they different?
  3. What could be done to improve Canadian bank notes for everyone? Think about how accessible they are, who and what they represent, and what impact they have on the environment.
  4. Are bank notes still important to Canadians? Do you use cash often? What do you think is the future of money in Canada?

Learn more

  • Assessing the Life Cycle of a Bank Note—a lesson plan about the environmental impact of everyday items
  • A Bank NOTE-able Canadian—a lesson plan about the portraits and symbols on Canadian bank notes
  • Understanding Money: Common Questions—a blog about what money is and what Canadian money looks like
  • Security Features on the Vertical $10 Note—information about the security features on Bank of Canada’s newest bank note

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): Business and careers, Economy, History, Social studies
    Grade level(s): Grade 05, Grade 06, Grade 07 / Secondary 1, Grade 08 / Secondary 2, Grade 09 / Secondary 3, Grade 10 / Secondary 4

    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