A. Despite the increasing prevalence of purchasing and banking through electronic means, Canadian banknotes—commonly referred to as “carrying cash”—remain an important part of Canadian society. However, with the convenience of carrying cash also comes the risk of counterfeiting, or producing imitation currency without authorization from the government. Counterfeiting accounts for millions of dollars of losses to Canadian businesses and individuals each year. To combat this problem, the Bank of Canada introduced new polymer bills in 2013. These durable new bills are considered to be some of the most secure banknotes in the world.

B. The new series of polymer notes is designed in a way which is meant to portray the Canadian spirit of innovation and to celebrate Canada’s national and international achievements. Each bill depicts a different innovation or event that has been a crucial aspect of Canadian history. The five-dollar bill, for example, illustrates the Canadarm2—an important contribution made to the International Space Station in April, 2001. The twenty-dollar bill depicts the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in honour of the sacrifices made by Canadians during the First World War. The one-hundred-dollar bill shows an insulin bottle to commemorate the 1922 discovery of insulin as a treatment for diabetes by Canadian researchers.

C. In addition to visually representing Canada, the new polymer bills are also designed to be more functional and environmentally friendly. The bills are able to withstand temperatures ranging from -75 to 140 degrees Celsius, are harder to tear, and do not absorb moisture, thereby allowing them to be wiped clean with a damp cloth. These improvements mean that, when properly handled, the new bills last up to 2.5 times longer than their paper predecessors. This increased lifespan and ability to be recycled means that polymer notes accomplish the important goal of reducing environmental impact.

D. Most importantly, the new polymer bills include a wide range of security features that are easy to verify and difficult to counterfeit. These features include raised ink located in various places on the surface of the bill, visual details such as transparent text and metallic features, and hidden numbers that can only be detected using an incandescent light. However, in spite of these innovative features, the best security against counterfeiting is still education. This is why front-line employees in Canadian businesses are taught to be both diligent and cautious when dealing in cash transactions.

E. Not given in any of the above paragraphs.