Canada's new vertical $20 bank note is scheduled to begin entering circulation gradually in late February 2027, giving cash-handling businesses a preparation window after its September 3 unveiling.
The Bank of Canada's announcement says the polymer note features King Charles III and retains the Canadian National Vimy Memorial on the reverse. Its security design includes a purple stripe with moving visual elements. The Bank says it will work with financial institutions, equipment manufacturers and the cash-handling industry before issuance.
For businesses using bank-note equipment, the announcement specifically encourages contact with suppliers about any necessary adaptations. It does not say every machine requires replacement, give a universal upgrade price or establish a single merchant installation deadline.
Start with the equipment actually in use
AFV's practical interpretation is that a business can begin by listing the equipment that accepts, counts or checks notes, then identifying who supports each device. A self-service machine and a staffed cash drawer may create different preparation work.
A supplier conversation would be more useful with the model, installed software version and service arrangement available. The business can then ask whether an update is needed, how it is delivered and how readiness will be confirmed. Those are proposed planning questions, not a claim about a particular manufacturer's requirements.
A quote for replacing a machine would need to explain why an update or adjustment is insufficient. The central bank's general preparation notice alone does not establish that replacement is necessary.
Training has its own timetable
Equipment acceptance and a cashier's familiarity with a note are different capabilities. A machine could be prepared while a new employee still needs instruction. Conversely, staff may recognize a design before a machine is ready to process it.
The official security information is the appropriate starting point for that training. This article's timeline is a text-only editorial graphic; it is not a bank-note reproduction or a guide to authenticating a particular piece of cash.
The announced gradual introduction also matters. A rollout date describes the beginning of a process. It does not mean every till will receive the new design immediately. Businesses can record when their suppliers confirm readiness and refresh staff instructions close to the announced circulation period.
As of this article's September 19 preparation, the relevant distinction is between an unveiled design and a note scheduled for future circulation. AFV has not tested any cash-handling device or obtained supplier pricing. The next useful evidence for an individual business will be its own equipment response and the Bank's official rollout updates.
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