Canada's Utterly Mystifying Money Mistake (2024)

Canada's Utterly Mystifying Money Mistake (1)

* Botanist says the leaf is Norway maple, not sugar maple

* Norway maple has more lobes, pointier outline

* Bank of Canada: it is no specific species

By Randall Palmer

OTTAWA, Jan 18 (Reuters) - The Bank of Canada has barked up the wrong maple tree with its new plastic banknotes, using a foreign Norway maple leaf as the emblem on the notes instead of the sugar maple that the country has on its national flag, an eagle-eyed Canadian botanist says.

The untrained eye might not at first spot the difference between the maple leaf on the new $20, $50 and $100 bills and the North American sugar maple.

Advertisem*nt

But it is clear to Sean Blaney, a botanist who tracks plants for the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre in New Brunswick, and who brought it first to the attention of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

"The maple leaf (on the currency) is the wrong species," he told Reuters on Friday.

He said the Norway maple has more lobes or sections and has a more pointed outline than the sugar maple, and the lobe that rises in the center is shorter than the sugar maple's.

The Norway maple was imported from Europe and is now also common in North America. Blaney said it was probably the most popular tree along streets in central and eastern Canada.

"It has naturalized to Canada," he said. But it's not the grand sugar maple.

The central bank said the image on the new bills was purposefully designed not to represent any specific species but rather to be a combination of various kinds.

Advertisem*nt

"It is not a Norway maple leaf. It is a stylized maple leaf and it is what it ought to be," said Bank of Canada currency spokesman Julie Girard.

She said the banknote designers created the image with the help of a dendrologist, a botanist who specializes in trees and shrubs.

"On the advice of this expert, steps were taken to ensure that the design of the leaf in the secondary window is not representative of a Norway maple," she said, adding that it was less rectangular than a Norway maple.

Blaney is not buying the explanation. "I think it's just an after-the-fact excuse," he said.

"That may have been their intention, to not have it be a specific species of maple, but they should have drawn it differently if that were the case, because the maple that they've drawn is quite clearly a Norway maple."

The Bank of Canada had to apologize in August after news broke that it replaced the picture of an Asian lab assistant on its new C$100 banknote with a woman who looked more Caucasian.

Advertisem*nt

Focus groups said Asians should not be the only group represented. Critics then accused the bank of racism.

Support HuffPost

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

Your Loyalty Means The World To Us

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.

Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.

Dear HuffPost Reader

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?

Dear HuffPost Reader

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circ*mstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.

Support HuffPost

Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.

Related

BusinessCanadacurrencyreuterscanada money

Before You Go

Canada's Utterly Mystifying Money Mistake (2)

Cool Currencies Of The World

|

Submit a tip

Canada's Utterly Mystifying Money Mistake (2024)

FAQs

Is Canadian money unbreakable? ›

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.

How money is made in Canada? ›

Money in Canada typically comes from two sources. Canada's central bank, called the Bank of Canada (BOC), can expand monetary supply by engaging in asset purchases, such as government and corporate bonds. Money is also created by financial institutions through lending to businesses and consumers.

Can you still use $1,000 dollar bills in Canada? ›

Since January 1, 2021, the Canadian $1, $2, $25, $500 and $1,000 bank notes are no longer considered legal tender. Essentially, this means that you may not be able to use them in cash transactions. Don't worry—these bank notes have not lost their face value.

Is US dollar weaker than Canadian dollar? ›

As we can see, the USD/CHF exchange rate is almost always below 1, while the USD/CAD rate is always above 1 (always above 1.2, in fact). This means, in general, that a Swiss franc is stronger than a US dollar and a Canadian dollar is weaker than a US dollar.

Can you use a ripped $20 dollar bill Canada? ›

A bill that is 51% intact is still legal tender and must be accepted at its full face value. If it's precisely ripped in half, you have a problem, but you can send both halves to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and they will replace it with a new bill. The Bureau is actually pretty cool about damaged notes.

Is there a $500 bill in Canada? ›

The $25 note was a commemorative note. Both it and the $500 note were discontinued shortly after they were issued in 1935. The $1,000 note stopped being issued in 2000.

What brings Canada the most money? ›

Biggest Industries by Revenue in Canada in 2024
  • Commercial Banking in Canada. ...
  • Gasoline & Petroleum Wholesaling in Canada. ...
  • Gasoline & Petroleum Bulk Stations in Canada. ...
  • Oil Drilling & Gas Extraction in Canada. ...
  • New Car Dealers in Canada. ...
  • Supermarkets & Grocery Stores in Canada. ...
  • Automobile Wholesaling in Canada.

Is Canada money strong? ›

The Canadian dollar is one of the strongest currencies in the world. Out of all the currencies, the Canadian dollar ranks as the 11th strongest currency, just under the US Dollar. [1] Because of the strength of Canadian dollars, you'll find that making money exchanges in most countries will benefit you.

Why is Canadian money so strong? ›

The exchange rate between Canada and the U.S. is often strongly correlated to the price of oil. Over the long run, when the price of oil rises, the value of the Canadian dollar (also called the loonie) also usually rises relative to that of the U.S. dollar.

Is Canadian currency stable? ›

Canada is a country with a strong economy and a stable currency. It is a leading trading nation, with exports accounting for approximately one-third of its GDP.

Is Canada money waterproof? ›

In fact, the plastic money is virtually waterproof, so the bills won't be ruined if they are left in a pocket by mistake and end up in the washing machine. Actually, plastic money can take a lot of abuse. You can bend and twist plastic currency without damaging it.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 6260

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Birthday: 1996-05-19

Address: Apt. 114 873 White Lodge, Libbyfurt, CA 93006

Phone: +5983010455207

Job: Legacy Representative

Hobby: Blacksmithing, Urban exploration, Sudoku, Slacklining, Creative writing, Community, Letterboxing

Introduction: My name is Merrill Bechtelar CPA, I am a clean, agreeable, glorious, magnificent, witty, enchanting, comfortable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.