You probably have one in your pocket right now. Or maybe it’s crumpled at the bottom of a backpack. That bright blue slip of polymer—the 5 dollar canadian bill—is easily the most used piece of currency in Canada. It’s the "coffee and a muffin" note. But honestly, most Canadians don't really look at it. They just see the color and know the value. If you actually take a second to stare at Sir Wilfrid Laurier’s face, you’re looking at a piece of history that’s currently in the middle of a massive, slightly controversial makeover.
Money is weird. It’s just plastic and ink, yet it tells the story of who we think we are as a country.
Right now, the Bank of Canada is sitting on a shortlist of names to replace Laurier. We’ve had the same guy on the five since 1972. That’s a long time to keep the same branding. The shift started a few years back when Viola Desmond took over the ten-dollar bill, and now the fiver is next on the chopping block. It's not just about aesthetics, though. It's about security, durability, and a very Canadian debate over whose face deserves to be carried around in millions of wallets every single day.
The Polymer Revolution and Why It Feels Like Play Money
People hated it at first. Remember that? When the Bank of Canada switched from paper (which was actually a cotton-paper blend) to polymer in 2013, everyone complained. People said the bills stuck together. There were urban legends about the 5 dollar canadian bill melting on a hot dashboard or in a clothes dryer. None of that was actually true, by the way. The Bank of Canada put those notes through insane testing, including extreme heat and cold that would kill a human, and they held up fine.
The polymer is actually a specialized biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP). It’s basically high-tech plastic.
Why bother? Because paper money is gross. It absorbs oils, it tears, and it carries bacteria like a petri dish. The polymer version lasts at least 2.5 times longer than the old paper notes. For a high-circulation note like the five, that’s a massive cost saving for taxpayers. We aren't printing new ones nearly as often. Plus, the security features on the current 5 dollar canadian bill are world-class. You’ve got that large transparent window with the metallic portrait of Laurier and the building—the West Block of Parliament. If you tilt it, the colors shift. It’s incredibly hard to counterfeit, which is the whole point of the exercise.
Who Is the Guy on the Bill Anyway?
Sir Wilfrid Laurier. He was Canada’s first French-Canadian Prime Minister. He’s often called the "Great Conciliator" because he spent his career trying to bridge the gap between English and French Canada. He famously said that the 20th century would belong to Canada. He wasn't entirely wrong, but he wasn't entirely right either.
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He's been the face of the five for decades. But the world is different now. When the Bank of Canada asked for nominations for the new face of the 5 dollar canadian bill, they got over 45,000 responses. People are passionate about this stuff. The shortlist is a wild mix of heroes, scientists, and activists.
The Shortlist: Who Might Replace Laurier?
- Terry Fox: This is the heavy favorite. If you grew up in Canada, you know Terry. He attempted to run across the country on an artificial leg to raise money for cancer research. He's a national icon. Putting him on the money feels like a no-brainer to a lot of people.
- Binaaswi (Francis Pegahmagabow): An Indigenous soldier from the First World War. He was the most decorated Indigenous soldier in Canadian history and a serious advocate for Indigenous rights.
- Won Alexander Cumyow: A pioneer for Chinese-Canadian civil rights. He was the first person of Chinese descent born in Canada to vote in a federal election after years of fighting for that right.
- Lotta Hitschmanova: A humanitarian who founded the Canadian Service Committee. Her voice was synonymous with helping the world's vulnerable for decades.
- Onondeyoh (Frederick Ogilvie Loft): A Mohawk chief and WWI veteran who founded the League of Indians of Canada.
Choosing one is basically impossible without offending someone. That’s likely why the decision has taken so long. The government has been "considering" the shortlist since 2020. In the world of bureaucracy, that's just a Tuesday.
The Space Side: Canada’s Galactic Flex
Flip the 5 dollar canadian bill over. You’ll see the Canadarm2 and Dextre. This is one of my favorite parts of Canadian currency because it’s a genuine flex. We aren't just about maple syrup and polite apologies; we built the robotics that basically keep the International Space Station running.
The image features an astronaut, which many people assume is Chris Hadfield, but it’s actually a generic representation of all Canadian astronauts. It signifies our contribution to the mobile servicing system. It’s a reminder that Canada plays a massive role in high-tech exploration. When you spend five bucks on a sandwich, you’re literally holding a tribute to orbital mechanics and space robotics.
The "Spocking" Controversy
You can't talk about the 5 dollar canadian bill without talking about Leonard Nimoy. When the actor who played Mr. Spock passed away, a trend exploded across Canada. People realized that if you took a pen to the old paper Laurier bills, you could easily transform Sir Wilfrid into a Vulcan.
The eyebrows, the hair, the pointed ears—it was a perfect match.
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The Bank of Canada actually had to put out a statement about it. They told people to stop "Spocking" their fives. It wasn't illegal, technically, but they argued it could interfere with the security features and shorten the life of the bill. Of course, once the polymer bills came out, "Spocking" became a lot harder because ink doesn't stick to plastic the same way. It was the end of an era for geeky Canadian currency defacement.
Collecting and the "Devil's Face" Myths
If you find an old paper 5 dollar canadian bill in your attic, is it worth more than five dollars?
Maybe. Probably not.
Most circulated bills are just worth their face value. However, there are exceptions. In the 1954 series of Canadian banknotes, there was a huge scandal called the "Devil's Face" notes. If you looked closely at the highlights in Queen Elizabeth II’s hair, it looked like a snarling face or a devil. The Bank of Canada had to change the printing plates to darken the hair and remove the "demon." If you have a 1954 five-dollar bill where the "devil" is still visible and the bill is in pristine condition, collectors might pay a decent premium for it.
For the modern polymer notes, collectors look for "solid" serial numbers (like all 7s) or "radar" notes, where the serial number reads the same backward and forward. These can sell for $20 to $100 on eBay to the right person.
Why the Five Dollar Bill Still Matters in a Digital World
We are moving toward a cashless society. Tap-to-pay is everywhere. Even the guy selling hot dogs on the corner has a Square reader now. So why do we keep printing the 5 dollar canadian bill?
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Because cash is the ultimate safety net.
When the Rogers network went down a couple of years ago and half the country couldn't use their debit cards, guess what worked? Fivers. Cash is also essential for privacy and for marginalized populations who might not have easy access to traditional banking. The five-dollar bill is the entry point. It’s the bill you give to a kid for their first allowance. It’s the bill you use to tip a valet. It represents the "small" economy that keeps neighborhoods moving.
How to Spot a Fake (The Quick Version)
Even though polymer is hard to fake, some people still try. Here is the "expert" way to check your 5 dollar canadian bill in three seconds:
- The Window: Look at the large clear window. It should contain a detailed metallic portrait of Laurier that matches the large portrait on the bill. If it looks blurry or like a sticker, it’s a fake.
- The Feel: Polymer has a very specific, smooth, slightly slippery feel. It shouldn't feel like paper or regular plastic wrap.
- The Small Numbers: Look at the large transparent window again. There are tiny numbers hidden in the pattern that match the value of the bill. You usually need a bit of light to see them clearly.
- Raised Ink: Run your fingernail over the "Bank of Canada" text and the large number. You should feel a distinct ridge. This is "intaglio" printing, and it’s very expensive to replicate.
Future Proofing Your Wallet
We are at a weird crossroads. Within the next few years, the 5 dollar canadian bill will likely change its orientation to vertical, matching the ten-dollar bill. A new face will replace Laurier. We might see even more advanced security features, perhaps even something involving QR codes or NFC-adjacent tech, though that’s mostly speculation for now.
What won't change is the color. Blue is the identity of the five.
If you're interested in the history or want to see the "shortlist" candidates in person, the Bank of Canada Museum in Ottawa is actually a hidden gem. They have displays of every note ever issued, including the weird ones from the 1800s when private banks used to print their own money. It makes you realize how stable and reliable our current system actually is.
Next Steps for the Savvy Cash User:
- Check Your Stash: Look through any old bills you have. If you find a 1954 "Devil's Face" note or a paper bill from the 1970s in "uncirculated" (perfect) condition, don't spend it at Tim Hortons. Take it to a coin dealer.
- Watch the News: Keep an eye out for the official announcement from the Minister of Finance regarding the new face of the five. Once the announcement happens, the "Laurier" fives will slowly start to be pulled from circulation by banks. They won't become worthless, but they will become rarer.
- Embrace the Cash: Try using cash for your small daily purchases for a week. It’s a great way to track spending and it keeps you connected to the physical reality of the 5 dollar canadian bill before it inevitably changes again.
The blue note isn't just pocket change. It's a high-tech, space-celebrating, historically-charged piece of Canadian engineering. Whether it ends up featuring Terry Fox or another Canadian hero, it remains the backbone of the Canadian wallet.