Calgary Dollar facts for kids

The Calgary Dollar is a special kind of money used in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It's a local currency, which means it's used mainly within a specific area. It's not like the regular Canadian dollar because the government doesn't officially back it.

Instead, the Calgary Dollar helps people in Calgary support local businesses. It's a way to build a stronger community and keep money circulating within Calgary.

What Are Calgary Dollars?

In 2018, Calgary Dollars became digital! They launched a new website and an app for phones, making it easier to use.

The physical Calgary Dollar bills come in different amounts. You can find them in 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 Calgary Dollar notes. These bills are made from a plastic material. They are also the same size as the regular Canadian dollar bills. When written, the Calgary Dollar is often shortened to "C$".

How Calgary Dollars Started

The Calgary Dollar project began in 1995. It was started by The Arusha Centre in Calgary. At first, it had a different name. It was called the "Bow Chinook Barter Community (BCBC)". The money itself was known as the "Bow Chinook Hour".

In 2002, the name changed. The "Bow Chinook Hour" was replaced with "Calgary Dollars". This new name was also adopted for the whole project.

How Calgary Dollars Work

The Calgary Dollars organization believes its local money is okay to use. This is based on information from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The CRA is Canada's tax agency. They have talked about how "credit units" can be used by local groups. These units act like money for trading goods and services.

In March 2018, Calgary Dollars got a new look. They updated their logo and added a new saying: "Get Local. Make Money." This slogan encourages people to support local businesses.

The logo for Calgary Dollars, which encourages local spending.

See also

• BerkShares
• Complementary currency
• Ithaca Hours
• Toronto dollar
• Bristol Pound