The Bank of Canada today put into circulation Canada’s new $50 bank note. The new note will be distributed and become available across the country over the next few weeks.

“To keep our economy functioning efficiently, it is crucial that Canadians have complete confidence in their bank notes,” said David Dodge, Governor of the Bank of Canada, in a release. “That is why we are improving the security of Canadian bank notes by researching and developing new and enhanced security features like the ones incorporated into the new $50 note.”

The new note incorporates several anti-counterfeiting features that are easy to identify and quick to use. These include a metallic holographic stripe, a watermark portrait, a windowed colour-shifting thread woven into the paper, and a see-through number. These anti-counterfeiting features are similar to those found on the recently issued $100 and $20 notes.

The new $50 bank note was unveiled on on October 13.

The theme of the note is Nation Building: shaping the political, legal, and social structures for democracy and equality. The back of the note features images that highlight the advancement of democracy and equal rights in Canada. The front of the note features a portrait of William Lyon Mackenzie King, Canada’s longest-serving prime minister.

The Bank of Canada said it plans to upgrade the security features of the $10 bank note from the Canadian Journey series in the spring of 2005. The upgraded security features will resemble those found on the new $20, $50, and $100 notes from the same series. The note’s theme and images will not change.