Long live the King on new Canadian $20 bill

The Bank of Canada has revealed a new vertical $20 bill featuring King Charles III. The $20 note retains the tradition of showcasing a portrait of Canada's Head of State, with King Charles III's environmental advocacy evident through the botanical elements depicted on the note. Each of Canada's 13 provinces and territories are represented through their respective floral emblems, along with culturally significant flowers among Indigenous communities such as wild strawberries, western red cedar, braided sweetgrass, and arctic cotton.

Governor General Louise Arbour highlighted that the note also references Canada's natural heritage and Canadian ingenuity, alongside quotes from artists celebrating bilingualism, social advancements, and scientific discoveries that have defined Canada's global standing.

The note features the maple leaf in various design elements, serving as a key security feature that authentically identifies it as Canadian. It also pays homage to Canadian soldiers who served during World War I through an illustration of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial and poppies etched onto it. The design process involved extensive collaboration among the Bank of Canada, its partners, and organizations like the Indigenous Advisory Circle, Veterans Affairs Canada, and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, resulting in a safe, accessible, and meaningful banknote for Canadians.

Canada has featured portraits of the sovereign on banknotes for decades. Queen Elizabeth II made her first appearance on a $20 bill at the age of eight, as Princess Elizabeth, and continued to be featured on numerous iterations throughout her 70-year reign. The Royal Canadian Mint began circulating coins with King Charles III's face in 2023.

Other notable figures on Canadian currency include former Prime Minister Wilfred Laurier, civil rights activist Viola Desmond, and Terry Fox, whose likeness was chosen for a new version of the $5 bill yet to be released. Laurier will be moved from the $5 banknote to appear on the next version of the $50 note.