History

• June 16, 2022

  Army bills: Funding the War of 1812

  By: David Bergeron, Graham Iddon

  
  

  

  In 1812, British North America had no banks and little currency. With the prospect of war drying up supplies of coins, the government of Lower Canada decided to issue legal tender notes called “army bills” to pay for troops and supplies.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): Economy, History
• April 20, 2022

  The Life of a Polymer Bank Note

  

  

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

  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
• February 18, 2022

  Canada and the global economy

  

  Explore Canada’s connections to the global economy. Adjust timelines and filters in our online game to view historical data of gross domestic product, trade, foreign investment and immigration.

  Content type(s): Activities and games Subject(s): Business and careers, Economy, Financial literacy, Geography, History, Social studies Grade level(s): Grade 06, Grade 07 / Secondary 1, Grade 08 / Secondary 2, Grade 09 / Secondary 3, Grade 10 / Secondary 4, Grades 11 and 12 / Secondary 5 and CEGEP
• February 3, 2022

  Queen of the bank notes

  By: Graham Iddon

  
  

  

  Few of us have ever met her, and it’s likely none of us are even remotely related to her. Yet, Canadians have carried her picture in their wallets for generations now. She’s Queen Elizabeth II and has been our monarch for over 70 years.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): History
• August 19, 2021

  Fur Trade Economics

  By: David Bergeron, Graham Iddon, Krista Broeckx

  
  

  

  Over its 350-year lifespan, the Hudson’s Bay Company has had an enormous impact on Canada’s economy and how the nation was settled.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): 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, Grades 11 and 12 / Secondary 5 and CEGEP
• June 15, 2021

  Pirate treasure

  

  Have fun making pirate coins based on historical examples from our collection and create your very own treasure chest.

  Content type(s): Activities and games Subject(s): Arts, History, Social studies Grade level(s): Early childhood / Kindergarten, Grade 01, Grade 02, Grade 03
• May 4, 2021

  A Canadian Central Bank: The History of the Bank of Canada

  

  

  Learn about why the Bank of Canada was created and how it continues to promote the economic and financial welfare of Canadians.

  Content type(s): Multimedia Subject(s): Economy, History, Social studies Grade level(s): Grade 08 / Secondary 2, Grade 09 / Secondary 3, Grade 10 / Secondary 4, Grades 11 and 12 / Secondary 5 and CEGEP
• February 11, 2021

  Money: Past, Present and Future

  

  Explore the history of money in Canada and around the world using an inquiry approach.

  Content type(s): Lesson plans Subject(s): 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
• June 11, 2020

  Nominating an Icon for the Next $5 Bank Note

  By: Graham Iddon

  
  

  

  Using a Bank of Canada Museum lesson plan, nearly 200 students told us who they thought should be the bank NOTE-able Canadian on our new $5 bill.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): History, Social studies Grade level(s): Grade 06, Grade 07 / Secondary 1, Grade 08 / Secondary 2, Grade 09 / Secondary 3, Grade 10 / Secondary 4
• April 28, 2020

  Money and Monetary Policy in Canada

  

  Money and Monetary Policy in Canada is a web resource to help educate Canadians on the mechanics of their economy and the Bank of Canada’s role in it. It’s written in fun, clear language and supplemented with helpful illustrations, meeting the needs of multiple levels of high school curricula.

  Content type(s): External resources Subject(s): Business and careers, Economy, Financial literacy, Geography, History, Social studies 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