The first paper money issued in Canada denominated in dollars were British Army notes between 1813-1815 in denominations between $1-400. These were emergency issues due to the War of 1812. The first banknotes were issued in 1817 by the Montreal Capital Bank. Since 1944 the Bank of Canada has been the sole issuer of banknotes denominated in Canadian dollars. Early banknotes were printed on paper composed of pure cotton. In November 2011 synthetic polymer banknotes were introduced.
Purple in colour. Sir John A Macdonald, Canada's first Prime Minister has been featured on the obverse since 1971. As of 2018, his image on the note will be replaced by civil rights activist Viola Desmond.