Canadian Tire Money Honored in Exhibition

Almost every Canadian has a few crumpled bills of Canadian Tire Money and this enduring icon of Canadiana is now be honored with an exhibition at the Currency Museum in the Bank of Canada in Ottawa, Ont.
The Story of Canadian Tire Money Exhibit was spearheaded by the Canadian Tire Coupon Collector’s Club with support from Canadian Tire Corporation. The exhibit traces the evolution of Canadian Tire Money since it was first introduced in 1958.
The exhibit was designed with a “Focus on Youth” theme, with a goal of educating younger audiences about the printing process for currency and to explore some of the similarities between Canadian Tire Money and Canadian currency. Visitors to the museum will also receive a specially printed 5 cents Canadian Tire Money coupon as a souvenir and given ideas on how to start their own collections.
“Having a Canadian Tire Money exhibit at the Currency Museum is an honor for Canadian Tire and a testament to the special connection that Canadians have with Canadian Tire Money,” said Eymbert Vaandering, vice- president, Marketing, Canadian Tire. “Canadian Tire Money has grown to become a Canadian icon and a unique part of our culture. It’s a position we owe thanks to our customers, who have made it one of the most popular programs by using it as often as they do — to buy the products they want from Canadian Tire.”
Canadian Tire pioneered rewards programs back in the late 1950s when the cash bonus coupons were given out to gas bar customers who paid cash for gas, saving customers money when they purchased items from the store. Canadian Tire Money became very popular and in 1961 it was extended to customers at Canadian Tire stores. The Canadian Tire Money exhibit will be on display in the Currency Museum in the Bank of Canada until January 20, 2002. The Currency Museum’s hours of operation are Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 5 p.m.