A background rainbow of wavy lines on the face of the note is composed entirely of microprinted digits corresponding to the value of the note, while the fine horizontal lines through the centre portion of the note's face are actually a repeated microprinted legend, in which the numberal corresponds to the denomination of the note. Security elements include the use of microprinting.
In March 1986, the Bank of Canada introduced the first of a new series of notes, completely redesigned to assist the visually impaired, increase efficiency of high speed sorting equipment, and provide improved security against counterfeiting.