Canada to switch to plastic bills next year

[Marilyn. 340]

They say money doesn't grow on trees. Well, the federal government has taken that adage to heart — it announced earlier this week that Canada's paper-cotton banknotes would be replaced by newly designed plastic ones next year.

It's part of a plan to modernize and protect Canadian currency against counterfeiting.

The new plastic bills, made from a polymer material, are harder to fake, recyclable, and two to three times more resistant to tearing, the Bank of Canada said.

Australia has used polymer banknotes since the 1990s, and an Australian company will provide the material for Canada. Several other countries have adopted polymer banknotes including New Zealand, Vietnam and Romania.

The new notes won't be in circulation until sometime in 2011. In the meantime, the central bank is keeping mum on what the new bills will look like.

"I can't divulge that information because they will be issued in about 18 months — that's a long ways away," said Bank of Canada spokesperson Julie Girard. "We want to keep a little bit of information from potential counterfeiters so they don't get a leg up and start producing any counterfeits."

CBC News wanted to get some local Canadians' impressions of the polymer bills. Reporter Sandra Abma took an Australian banknote and a classic cotton-paper Canadian bill and asked people on the streets of Ottawa to compare. The opinions were mixed.

"It would be easier to lose, I think," said one woman, after rubbing her fingers on the polymer bill. "It's soft and smooth and it could slide out easier."

"This feels like Monopoly money actually," said a young man. "It's like I took this out of a board game and then went to buy Timmy's with it."

http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2010/03/06/o...l#ixzz0hShTMKTv

[trailmix 77]

I suppose it's a good idea - but how about we get a Canadian company to make the materials - geez.

[Sprailenes 47]

Oh those silly Canadians!!

Oh wait... I'm one of em.

Hmmm... interesting idea.

[Rhiannercakes 14]

Heeeeeeeey, those are so cool!

I'm looking forward to seeing them.

[Kimbear 53]

uhh what the heck?? first our anthem ..now our money.....

[HeatDeath 430]

Is this the same kind of stuff that several province's birth certificates (at least Manitoba's and BC's) are printed on? That'll be pretty cool.

I once saw an Australian bill that had an embedded plastic transparent region, again kinda like the birth certificates. I don't think the entire bill was plastic, but it was still kinda neat. That was in 2000.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

uhh what the heck?? first our anthem ..now our money.....

Your anthem is plastic too?

[Ban Hammer 13,283]

i wonder if these bills will be bpa free

[Marilyn. 340]

uhh what the heck?? first our anthem ..now our money.....

I read somewhere that they have decided not to change the anthem...

[OBX 51]

Very interesting!

[CDAgirlMI 51]

I hope they still keep the different denominations a different colour.....I miss my coloured money.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

I suppose it's a good idea - but how about we get a Canadian company to make the materials - geez.

Because we don't have plastic trees in Canada like they do in Australia.

Maybe they'll make the bills from gum trees! That way we can chew on the money if we get bored or hungry!

Edited March 7, 2010 by Wyatt's Torch

[trailmix 77]

Because we don't have plastic trees in Canada like they do in Australia.

Maybe they'll make the bills from gum trees! That way we can chew on the money if we get bored or hungry!

[Sprailenes 47]

Because we don't have plastic trees in Canada like they do in Australia.

Maybe they'll make the bills from gum trees! That way we can chew on the money if we get bored or hungry!

BOO!

I expected a radiohead lyric at LEAST!

[Kimbear 53]

the most important piece of news on that page was in the lower right hand corner:

"tim hortons to add 900 outlets" !!!