A history of the Canadian dollar

The history of Canada's money provides aunique perspective from which to view the growth and development of the Canadian economy and Canada as a nation. This history of the Canadian dollar traces the evolution of Canadian money from its pre-colonial origins to the present day. Highlighted on this journey are the currency chaos of the early French and British colonial period, the sweeping changes ushered in by Confederation in 1867, as well as the effects of two world wars and the Great Depression.

The first nations

New France

British colonies in North America

Currency reforms

The Canadian Dollar under the Gold Standard

Canada off the Gold Standard

Back to the Gold Standard - temporarily

The depression years and the creation of the Bank of Canada

Canada under fixed exchange rates and exchange controls

A floating Canadian dollar

Return to a fixed exchange rate

Return to a floating rate

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