10/16/2026
🇨🇦 Moose, beavers or bears on Canadian banknotes?
The UK has officially decided to make native wildlife the central theme of its next series of Bank of England notes.
After nearly 500,000 people took part in a public consultation, 4 animals were selected: the Atlantic puffin, barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee and European hedgehog.
The change marks a major departure from the Bank of England’s tradition of featuring historical figures, which began in 1970.
The current British notes feature Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, J.M.W. Turner and Alan Turing. The next series will instead place wildlife at the centre of the design, although a portrait of the monarch will remain on the notes.
That raises an interesting question for Canada.
Canadian money already has a long connection with wildlife. Beavers, polar bears, loons, caribou and other animals have appeared on Canadian coins and earlier banknote designs.
But should wildlife play an even bigger role on future Canadian bills?
Imagine a $5 note featuring a beaver, a $10 with a moose, a $20 with a polar bear or a $50 celebrating another animal closely connected to Canada’s landscapes.
Some Canadians may prefer keeping important people and historical figures on our money. Others may feel our wildlife, landscapes and natural heritage represent the country just as strongly.
The UK has now made its choice.
💬 If Canada redesigned its banknotes around wildlife, which Canadian animal would you put on the first bill?
