# Isn't it illegal to write on or otherwise deface currency?

I had a lawyer check things out; keep in mind that this is in no way written in stone, and I am in no way telling you it's okay and that you should write on your notes. Like everything in life, you do so at your own risk... I write on my notes but that's me. Anyway... it seems in Canada that the law is a little outdated and deals more with coins. However, 'coin' can be applied to mean currency, as like most things with the law, there is some 'flex'. In a nutshell, the law states that scratching, marking or otherwise defacing coins such that it is unrecognizable, is illegal; so when you take a penny and put it in those tourist machines that squish the penny and mark it with a picture or something, that's breaking the law. As such, if you apply the law to notes, if you were to colour it completely black that would be breaking the law as well (of course, you'd also be a twit as you'd be out the face value of note).

Now that you are completely scared of being arrested, I'll mention that there are no cases in Canada in recorded history of anyone being convicted or even being brought to trial for defacing money. But still, do so at your own risk; you can't live your life in a bubble, right? :)

Finally, here is an official reply that Bishop got from The Bank of Canada on a question he asked them about the legality of stamping notes:

Date: Tue October 29, 2002 11:04 AM
To: Bishop
From: Bank of Canada

The Bank of Canada is aware that certain groups stamp Canadian bank notes in order to track their journey throughout Canada.

While neither the Bank Act nor the Criminal Code deal with the mutilation or defacement of bank notes, the Bank of Canada strongly objects to any mutilation or defacement of bank notes including simple markings similar to your example. All writing on notes limits their life. Such instances of mutilation and defacement carry a cost associated with them due to accelerated requirements for note replacement. Further, the mutilation and defacement of notes is not condoned as Canadian currency is a symbol and source of national pride.

Having said this, the bank note you possess remains legal tender and can be used in commercial transactions.

I hope this information will be helpful and thank you for your interest in Canadian currency.

Sylvie Dionne
Bank Note Communication and Compliance Team
Bank of Canada
1 888 513-8212