New Canadian $20 note unveiled, with circulation planned for 2027

The Bank of Canada unveiled a new vertical $20 bank note on September 3, with a gradual entry into circulation planned for late February 2027.

The front carries a portrait of King Charles III, while the reverse retains the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France. Provincial and territorial floral emblems also appear in the design.

A circular window features plants culturally significant to Indigenous Peoples in Canada. The bank said its Indigenous Advisory Circle collaborated on that element.

The note includes new security features, including a purple stripe with elements that change as the note moves.

For consumers and businesses, the immediate distinction is between the design’s unveiling and its future release. The announcement does not say the new note is already available.

The bank says businesses using cash-handling equipment should contact their suppliers about any necessary adaptations before the note enters circulation.

Source: Bank of Canada — 2026-09-03.