History

• July 31, 2023

  The Scenes of Canada series $100 bill

  By: Graham Iddon

  
  

  

  Few of us ever get a chance to see a Scenes of Canada $100 bill. Which is a pity, because it is an example of great bank note design with even greater imagery by a master engraver.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): History
• December 5, 2022

  Surprise, It's Money!

  

  Onsite program: See and touch an amazing array of objects that have served as money at one time or another.

  Content type(s): School programs Subject(s): Financial literacy, History, Social studies Grade level(s): Grade 03, Grade 04, Grade 05, Grade 06, Grade 07 / Secondary 1, Grade 08 / Secondary 2
• November 18, 2022

  A bank NOTE-able Canadian

  

  Students will use the concept of historical significance to choose an iconic Canadian as a portrait subject for the Bank of Canada’s new $5 bank note.

  Content type(s): Lesson plans 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
• November 18, 2022

  The changing face of our money

  

  Students will use a historical thinking approach to examine historical significance, continuity and change in Canadian bank notes.

  Content type(s): Lesson plans 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
• November 18, 2022

  Design your own bank note

  

  Your students will research and choose their own iconic Canadian, theme, images and symbols to go on a new bank note.

  Content type(s): Lesson plans Subject(s): Arts, History, Social studies Grade level(s): Grade 04, Grade 05, Grade 06, Grade 07 / Secondary 1, Grade 08 / Secondary 2, Grade 09 / Secondary 3, Grade 10 / Secondary 4
• November 14, 2022

  The day Winnipeg was invaded

  By: David Bergeron

  
  

  

  People on the street were randomly stopped and searched, and some were even arrested and imprisoned in an internment camp. Even German marks replaced Canadian currency in circulation—in the form of If Day propaganda notes.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): History Grade level(s): Grade 10 / Secondary 4, Grades 11 and 12 / Secondary 5 and CEGEP
• October 18, 2022

  Positive notes

  By: Krista Broeckx

  
  

  

  The imagery on the Bank of Canada’s 1935 note series depicts the country’s rich industrial history.

  Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): 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