Canadian Journey $10 banknote

This redesigned $10 note was issued by the Bank of Canada in 2001 as the first of the Canadian Journey series of notes. The front of the note features the image of Canada’s first prime minister, John A. Macdonald, and the back of the note features images of Canadian military personnel, veterans and children, representing the value of remembrance and peacekeeping.

Not only does the banknote portray images of Canada’s history but also is designed to be accessible to people who are blind or partially sighted. For the first time on a Canadian banknote, durable raised tactile markings have been incorporated into the design to aid in the identification of the different denominations of money. The numbers have also been made larger with increased contrast to aid people with visual impairment in the identification of money.

The Canadian Journey series of notes, featuring images of remembrance, peace and unity on the front of the notes, and accessible design on the back, serves as an example of how graphic design can express a nation’s identity while also being of use to all of its citizens. The images of past Canadian leaders are not only of historical interest but also convey a sense of national identity, while the accessible design of the notes serves to make everyday transactions with money easier for all Canadians.