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Canadian Tire money
Canadian Tire money
Canadian Tire money
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Canadian Tire money
argent Canadian Tire (French)
5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, $1, & $2 Canadian Tire coupons
Unit
Symbol$‎
Denominations
Banknotes18 denominations from 1¢ to $100
Coins$1
Demographics
User(s)Canadian Tire customers and other businesses in Canada
Issuance
Central bankCanadian Tire
PrinterCanadian Bank Note Company & British American Banknote Company.
MintRoyal Canadian Mint (1 Dollar coin only)

Canadian Tire money, officially Canadian Tire 'money'[1][2] or CTM, is a loyalty program operated by the Canadian retail chain Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC). It consists of both paper coupons introduced in 1958 and used in Canadian Tire stores as scrip, and since 2012 in a digital form introduced as Canadian Tire Money Advantage, rebranded in 2018 as Triangle Rewards. Issuance of paper Canadian Tire Money ended in 2020. Canadian Tire Money has been noted as the most successful loyalty program in Canadian retail history.[3]

Canadian Tire Money is denominated in Canadian dollars. It is earned based on the pre-tax amount of a purchase, excluding labour and shop supplies costs. The initial rate earned was 5% of the eligible purchase price, but it was lowered to 3%, then to 1.4% and now is 0.4%.

When used to pay for merchandise, CTM is considered to be a cash equivalent and may be used to pay for any part of a purchase, including sales taxes. CTM cannot be exchanged for real Canadian currency.

Paper Canadian Tire money coupons

[edit]

Paper CTM coupons resemble real banknotes. The notes are printed on paper similar to what Canadian currency was printed on when they were still paper, and were jointly produced by two of the country's long-established security printers, British American Banknote Company (BABN) and Canadian Bank Note Company (CBN).[3] Paper CTM could be earned and redeemed only at Canadian Tire stores, although some other private businesses may choose to accept it as payment.

Paper CTM was earned only when customers pay with cash, debit cards, or Canadian Tire money. No paper CTM was earned on purchases made by credit card.

Issuance and redemption of paper CTM was suspended in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Redemption was resumed in July 2020 and is still permitted as of November 2024. As of May 2023, the corporation has no plans to resume paper CTM issuance other than for special commemorative issues.[4]

History

[edit]

Canadian Tire Money coupons were introduced in 1958 at CTC's gas bar located at Yonge and Davenport streets in Toronto. They were inspired by Muriel Billes, the wife of Canadian Tire's co-founder and first president, Alfred J. Billes, as a response to the promotional giveaways that many gas companies offered at the time. It was only available at Canadian Tire gas bars but was so successful that, in 1961, it was extended to the retail stores as well. Until 1992, there were separate issues of coupons redeemable either at Canadian Tire gas bars, or Canadian Tire retail stores.

Canadian Tire money coupons were issued and redeemable only at Canadian Tire stores in Eastern Canada until 1995, when the program was launched to all locations nationwide.[5]

Since 1961, the coupons have featured an engraving of "Sandy McTire", who sports a tam o' shanter and a stylized waxed moustache. A fictional character based on no specific individual, he is assumed to represent a thrifty Scotsman, the 1950s everyman of blue-collar Canada.

Denominations

[edit]

CTM coupons that were actively issued at the program's suspension in 2020 were produced in denominations of 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents, as well as one and two dollars.

Canadian Tire Money coupon denominations[6]
Denomination First issued Last issued Note
1¢ 1962 1962
2¢ 1962 1962
3¢ 1962 1976 A small quantity was issued in 1991
4¢ 1962 1962
5¢ 1958 2020
10¢ 1958 2020 A commemorative 10 cent note was released by the company between June 30 and July 2, 2017, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada in 1867 as part of national festivities.[7]
15¢ 1962 1962
20¢ 1962 1962
25¢ 1958 2020
30¢ 1962 1962
35¢ 1962 1962
40¢ 1962 1962
45¢ 1962 1962
50¢ 1958 2020
60¢ 1962 1962
$1 1958 2020
$2 1989 2020
$100 2022 2022 95 were issued as part of a social media promotion celebrating the 100th anniversary of Canadian Tire.[8]

Usage beyond Canadian Tire

[edit]
  • In late 2004 in Moncton, New Brunswick, several customers at a Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce ATM were dispensed a total of 11 bills of Canadian Tire money instead of real bills. They were compensated by the bank.[9]
  • Culturally, Canadian Tire money is sometimes referred to by comedians: perhaps as a national version of "Monopoly money", perhaps invoking a pejorative comparison of the value of Canadian dollars against U.S. dollars, or perhaps as a misunderstood exotic element of Canadian society (e.g. Ron James's comedic reference to the person depicted on the bill as "our king"). In the 2009 Trailer Park Boys movie Countdown to Liquor Day, Jim Lahey offers Julian $700 in Canadian Tire money for his trailer.
  • In the mid-1990s, a man in Germany was caught with up to $11 million in counterfeit Canadian Tire money. It was recovered before he left for Canada to redeem it.[10]
  • In 2012, musician Corin Raymond funded his album Paper Nickels partially through a fundraising campaign inviting fans to donate their unused Canadian Tire money.[11]

Coins

[edit]

On December 2, 2009, as part of an advertised deal, Canadian Tire had handed out the first Canadian Tire coin, redeemable with the purchase of at least $40 of merchandise. Another similar deal followed in 2010 (coinciding with the 2010 Olympic Winter Games), with a three-coin winter collection. The coins can be spent in the same manner as conventional CTM.

Electronic Canadian Tire money

[edit]

A digital version of Canadian Tire Money was introduced in 2012 as Canadian Tire Money Advantage, which was earned by presenting a loyalty card.[12] This was expanded in 2014 to holders of the Options credit card issued by Canadian Tire Financial Services (CTFS).[13]

In April 2018, Canadian Tire Money Advantage program was replaced with the Triangle Rewards loyalty program for the earning of digital Canadian Tire Money ("eCTM").[14] The Triangle Rewards program expanded the earning and redemption of eCTM from Canadian Tire stores to the rest of Canadian Tire Corporation's family of stores (as well as their French-Canadian equivalents), currently-including Mark's, Sport Chek, Sports Experts, PartSource, the Canadian operations of Party City and Pro Hockey Life participating stores.

Unlike with paper Canadian Tire money, eCTM can be earned on purchases paid for with a credit card. Extra eCTMs is earned when paying with a Triangle credit card issued by CTFS.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Canadian Tire money

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Canadian Tire money is a rewards program operated by the Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited, featuring paper introduced in 1958 and a digital counterpart launched in 2014. The paper notes, printed on paper with anti-counterfeiting features and resembling Canadian in design, are issued to customers as a cash-back equivalent—typically 4 to 8% of purchases—and redeemable without expiration for merchandise, gift cards, or charitable donations at stores or affiliated partners. Denominations range from 5¢ to $2, with over $1 billion in notes historically circulated and more than $100 million awarded annually through the program. Although production of physical notes ceased in 2020 amid a shift to cashless transactions, existing paper money remains valid and widely accepted as of 2025, while the digital version integrates with the Triangle Rewards system for broader redemption options via app or card. Conceived by Muriel Billes, wife of co-founder A.J. Billes, during a 1958 Toronto gas price war, the program began as a 5% "cash bonus coupon" at company gas bars to build customer loyalty and differentiate from competitors. It expanded to retail stores in 1961, incorporating the iconic Sandy McTire mascot designed by artist Bernie Freeman, and quickly evolved into one of Canada's oldest and most recognized private scrip systems, often dubbed the nation's "unofficial second currency." By the 1980s, it had achieved widespread cultural significance, with billions of notes in circulation, secure transport via armoured vehicles, and occasional acceptance by third-party merchants, including international uses and even legal disputes over its redemption. The program's 21 series of notes, produced by the British American Bank Note Company, fostered collector communities across and supported initiatives like the Jumpstart charity for youth sports. In the digital era, Canadian Tire money transitioned in 2012 with versions before fully integrating into the Triangle Rewards platform in 2018, which collects customer data for personalized offers and has largely supplanted paper usage—accounting for 79% of transactions by 2020. Despite this evolution, the scrip's no-expiry policy ensures its enduring value, reflecting Canadian Tire's innovative approach to and its status as a promotional tool with economic parallels to local currencies; as of 2025, a partnership with Rewards is set to launch in 2026, allowing linked accounts for earning and redeeming CT Money across programs.

History

Origins and Launch

Canadian Tire money originated in 1958 as an innovative loyalty program conceived by Muriel Billes, the wife of Canadian Tire co-founder A.J. Billes, during a period of post-World War II economic expansion in Canada that fueled retail growth and consumer spending. Introduced at the company's first gas bar in Toronto at the corner of Yonge and Davenport streets, it marked Canada's inaugural retail loyalty initiative, designed to foster repeat business without directly discounting prices in a market where gasoline costs were strictly regulated by major oil companies. The program's core mechanism involved issuing customers pseudo-currency notes equivalent to 5% of their purchase amount—for instance, 5¢ in Canadian Tire money for every dollar spent—as "change" redeemable only at Canadian Tire locations, thereby encouraging ongoing patronage and driving traffic to stores. The inaugural notes were printed by the British American Bank Note Company on genuine banknote paper, incorporating security features such as watermarks to mimic official currency and deter counterfeiting, with early designs featuring a happy tire and dollar sign alongside Canadian motifs. The Sandy McTire character was introduced later in 1961. Initial denominations were limited to 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, and $1, reflecting the program's focus on small, accumulable rewards. Launched in November 1958, the program saw immediate success at the Toronto gas bar, with approximately 1.3 million notes printed and circulated in its debut run, demonstrating strong customer uptake amid the era's burgeoning automotive culture. This rapid adoption laid the foundation for broader implementation, as the notes' currency-like appeal quickly embedded the program in Canadian retail traditions, later extending to all Canadian Tire stores by 1961.

Evolution Through the Decades

Following the initial launch of Canadian Tire money in 1958, the program underwent significant expansion in the 1960s and 1970s as it became a staple of the company's operations. In 1961, the coupons were upgraded to high-quality banknote paper produced by the British American Bank Note Co. Ltd., and the program rolled out to all Canadian Tire stores across Canada, marking its transition from a gas bar promotion to a national loyalty initiative. Initial denominations included 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents, and $1, enabling customers to redeem for a wider range of purchases. The 5-cent denomination was discontinued in 1974 to streamline the offerings, while circulation grew rapidly, reflecting the program's increasing popularity among Canadian consumers. In the , money saw innovations aimed at enhancing and accessibility amid rising circulation. Anti-counterfeiting measures, including advanced techniques, were implemented to protect the program's integrity, as its widespread use made it a target for . Redemption options expanded through partnerships, with acceptance at gas bars beginning in 1982, allowing customers to use the coupons for fuel and related purchases, further embedding the money in everyday transactions. The represented a peak period for the program, effectively functioning as a "second currency" in due to its ubiquity and value in retail settings, with total historical circulation exceeding $1 billion in value. To address durability issues with paper notes, metal coins were launched in 1995 as a robust alternative for high-volume redemptions. A high-profile counterfeiting incident in the mid-, involving $11 million in forged notes by a German individual, underscored the need for continued upgrades. In the early , the program began adapting to digital trends with pilot electronic versions in 2012, allowing customers to earn and redeem CT Money via credit cards and online platforms, leading to the full digital launch in 2014. By 2010, total historical issuance had exceeded 1 billion units, solidifying its status as one of Canada's longest-running s. In the 2010s, Canadian Tire money fully transitioned to digital formats through integration with the Triangle Rewards launched in 2014, which allowed earning and redemption via app or card and collected customer data for personalized offers. This shift largely supplanted paper usage, with digital transactions accounting for 79% of rewards by 2020, as physical note production ceased that year.

Physical Forms

Paper Coupons

The paper coupons of Canadian Tire money served as the primary tangible form of the loyalty program's from their introduction in 1958 until the end of physical issuance in 2020. These notes were designed to mimic the appearance and security of official Canadian banknotes, fostering familiarity and trust among users while functioning as redeemable vouchers within the Canadian Tire retail network. Crafted from durable, rag-based paper akin to that used for genuine , the coupons featured a distinctive incorporating , , and tones to differentiate denominations and enhance visual appeal. Each note bore bilingual text in English and French, unique serial numbers for tracking, and progressive anti-forgery elements that evolved over decades, including along borders, ultraviolet-reactive inks revealing hidden patterns under , gold foil accents, and optically variable devices such as a translucent visible when tilted. From the series onward, the obverse prominently displayed an of Sandy McTire, a fictional kilted Scotsman with a tam o' shanter, symbolizing the program's Scottish-inspired branding roots. The reverse typically illustrated automotive or retail motifs, reinforcing the company's focus on tires and . Lower-denomination notes were intentionally smaller for practicality, while higher values adopted larger formats to deter casual counterfeiting. Over the program's history, more than 50 distinct varieties emerged across multiple series, reflecting design updates and special editions. The standard denominations encompassed 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, $1, $2, $5, and $10, though early issuances from 1958 to the early 1960s included atypical values like 1¢ through 4¢ and 15¢ to 60¢ tied to gas bar promotions. Production began with the British American Bank Note Company, which handled printing until the mid-1970s, after which the Canadian Bank Note Company took over as the primary printer; the final British American series dates to 1996. These security printers employed intaglio techniques similar to those for national currency, ensuring high-quality engraving and durability. Annual print runs expanded significantly with the program's popularity, reaching hundreds of millions of notes per year by the 1990s and culminating in over 1 billion total notes produced across all series. Distribution occurred at the point of sale, where customers earned coupons equivalent to 4% of their pre-tax purchase total—for instance, a $25 eligible spend yielded $1 in CT money, rounded to the nearest denomination. Cashiers dispensed the notes directly, often bundling them into provided envelopes or branded wallets to facilitate secure storage and organization by users. This mechanic encouraged repeat visits, as the physical accumulation of notes created a tangible for .

Metal Coins

Canadian Tire introduced metal coins as a supplementary physical form of its loyalty currency in late , aiming to enhance through limited-edition promotions while complementing the dominant coupons. These coins were designed for redemption at Canadian Tire stores, similar to notes, and were produced exclusively by the Royal Canadian Mint to ensure quality and authenticity. The initiative marked a brief diversification from scrip, appealing particularly to collectors and serving as incentives for higher spending thresholds. The coins featured a $1 denomination, with no other values produced, distinguishing them from the multi-denominational paper forms. The initial coin, launched on , 2009, was available to customers spending $25 or more on merchandise. In , a special three-coin series celebrated family winter activities in conjunction with the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games: the first depicted a shinny hockey game (available February 12–18), the second showed tobogganing (February 19–25), and the third portrayed a child learning to skate (February 26–March 4). Each coin in the series was obtainable with purchases of $25 or more and had no expiry date for redemption. These designs emphasized thematic storytelling over utilitarian elements, with the obverse typically bearing the Canadian Tire logo and value in English and French, while reverses highlighted the seasonal motifs. The coins measured 30 mm in diameter and were composed of multi-ply plated for durability. Production was strictly limited to promotional runs, with the 2010 series totaling fewer than one million units across all variants, representing a tiny fraction—less than 1%—of overall physical Canadian Tire Money in circulation at the time. Distributed only through in-store purchases, the coins saw minimal everyday use compared to coupons, which remained the primary medium. Their and collectible appeal led many to be preserved as keepsakes rather than redeemed, fostering a among numismatists. Issuance of these metal coins ceased after the 2010 series, with the broader physical Canadian Tire Money program discontinued in 2020 in favor of digital formats, though existing coins remain redeemable.

Digital Forms

Introduction of Electronic CT Money

The introduction of electronic Canadian Tire Money marked a significant transition from the longstanding physical coupons and coins, which had been prone to loss and counterfeiting since their in 1958. In February 2012, Canadian Tire launched Canadian Tire Money Advantage as a pilot program in , allowing customers to earn and accumulate rewards electronically via a loyalty card or key fob, even when paying with non-Canadian Tire credit cards. This initiative addressed key limitations of physical forms by storing value digitally in customer accounts, eliminating the risks associated with misplaced or forged notes. The program expanded nationally on October 28, 2014, under the rebranded "My Canadian Tire Money," integrating with an enhanced mobile app for seamless accrual and management without physical notes. Electronically, rewards are stored as points in linked customer accounts, where 1 CT Money equates to 1¢ in value, earned at a base rate of 0.4% on the pre-tax purchase amount (equivalent to 0.4 CT Money per $100 spent), with higher rates (such as 4% at Canadian Tire stores) available when using a Triangle credit card, and redeemable in any amount at checkout. Adoption required customers to present a loyalty card, key fob, or app-linked barcode, solving issues like lost paper currency while enabling personalized offers and no-expiry balances. By this rollout, the digital format complemented existing physical issuance, gradually shifting toward virtual rewards to reduce operational costs such as printing. Initial uptake was strong among existing loyalty members, with automatic enrollment for Options holders and participants, fostering broader use of electronic accumulation. This digital evolution paved the way for further integration, though physical remained in circulation until their discontinuation in 2020. The shift not only mitigated counterfeiting vulnerabilities inherent in designs but also streamlined redemption processes through at point-of-sale.

Integration with Triangle Rewards Program

The Triangle Rewards program, launched in spring 2018, integrated electronic Canadian Tire Money (CT Money) into a unified loyalty ecosystem spanning Canadian Tire's retail banners, including , , and Atmosphere. This structure created tiered earning options, such as the Triangle World Elite Mastercard, which provides a 4% CT Money earn rate on eligible purchases at stores—compared to the base 0.4% for standard members. The program also features app-based tracking via the Triangle mobile application, allowing real-time balance views, offer activations, and seamless management of digital rewards across devices. Key enhancements rolled out in subsequent years deepened the integration, including bonus multipliers on targeted categories; for instance, promotional offers frequently provide 10x the (equating to 4% CT Money) on automotive products like tires and accessories. Automatic accrual was further streamlined through linkage with Triangle credit cards, where purchases earn CT Money without manual presentation of a rewards ID, enhancing convenience for cardholders. By , the program's mobile wallet functionality enabled contactless redemption at point-of-sale terminals, reducing reliance on physical cards or key fobs. Expansion continued with advanced data analytics to deliver personalized offers based on member purchase history, which company reports credit with significantly improving and engagement. These features, powered by first-party data from the loyalty system, allow for tailored promotions that drive repeat visits and higher redemption rates. By 2020, Triangle Rewards had grown to over 10 million active members, with digital CT Money forming the vast majority of rewards issued following the phase-out of paper issuance that year; as of 2025, it has nearly 12 million active members. In 2025, Triangle Rewards expanded through partnerships with RBC (offering 3x CT Money on qualifying purchases with linked RBC cards) and WestJet (enabling linked accounts for cross-rewards starting early 2026), further enhancing digital redemption options. API integrations with point-of-sale systems ensure instantaneous earning and redemption, embedding electronic CT Money as the core of the program's operations across stores and online platforms.

Usage and Redemption

At Canadian Tire Stores

Canadian Tire money, whether in physical or electronic form, is redeemable at all retail stores at a face value of one per unit of Canadian Tire money. This allows customers to apply it toward the full of eligible merchandise, including applicable taxes, effectively functioning as store credit within the retail network. Redemption excludes certain categories to align with store policies and legal restrictions, such as alcohol, products, gift cards, pre-paid cards, lottery tickets, , shipping and handling fees, and currently, tires and wheel purchases. There is no minimum redemption amount for either physical notes or electronic CT Money (eCTM), enabling flexibility for small or large transactions; prior to the 2020 discontinuation of physical issuance, paper notes had no minimum, a policy that continues for remaining physical holdings. In-store redemption for physical notes involves presenting them at checkout, where they are either manually counted, scanned for verification, or converted to eCTM for future use, while eCTM is redeemed by swiping a Triangle Rewards card, scanning a cardless method via the Triangle app, or linking the account to a payment method at the point of sale. Policies emphasize personal use and account maintenance: Canadian Tire money is non-transferable between individuals, preventing exchange or gifting to maintain program integrity. For eCTM, balances expire only after of account inactivity, defined as no earning or redemption activity, to encourage ongoing engagement; physical notes do not expire. These rules support the program's base earning rate of 0.4% in CT Money on eligible pre-tax purchases, with higher rates available via the Triangle Mastercard (up to 4%) or promotions, which directly ties to redemption value at stores. Annually, redemptions represent significant volume, with customers redeeming $360 million in eCTM across the ecosystem in 2024, highlighting its scale within Canadian Tire's operations.

Acceptance by External Businesses

The phenomenon of Canadian Tire money being accepted outside the company's own stores emerged as an informal practice among small merchants, particularly in urban areas like Toronto's , where businesses that purchased goods from began circulating the coupons as a form of quasi-currency backed by the retailer's redemption policy. This external use has occasionally extended to third parties accepting it in lieu of , reflecting its role as a incentive that gained broader trust over time. By the 1980s, the ubiquity of paper Canadian Tire money led to wider informal acceptance at independent businesses such as bars, car dealerships, and recording studios across . Notable examples include Pete’s Peanut Pub in , which accepted it for beer and liquor purchases, and Liquor International in , where it was taken in amounts up to $200 per day for alcohol sales. Similarly, Rogue Studios in permitted payment at par for producing a 20-song album, highlighting its occasional use in creative and service-based sectors. Restaurants like Cabin 12 in have also voluntarily accepted it at full value, accumulating around $150 in by 2011 to support local economic circulation. Today, while physical Canadian Tire money continues to be accepted voluntarily by various independent retailers—such as diners and specialty shops—digital redemption is restricted to official partners within the Triangle Rewards network, including and . Canadian Tire does not officially endorse or facilitate acceptance by non-partners, with program rules specifying redemption only at participating stores or designated locations to maintain control over the loyalty system's integrity. This limitation helps manage circulation, though informal use persists in select communities as a cultural nod to the program's historical role as an unofficial secondary .

Legacy and Current Status

Discontinuation of Physical Issuance

In March 2020, as the prompted a rapid shift toward contactless and digital transactions, quietly halted the issuance of physical Canadian Tire money, ending the production of its paper notes after more than six decades. The metal coins, which had been introduced in limited editions as recently as 2010 but were already largely phased out by the mid-2010s, had become obsolete well before this decision. The discontinuation was driven by several factors, including the declining use of in retail—down to about 21% of transactions by 2020—and the advantages of digital formats for collection and redemption . Company representatives emphasized that electronic versions were faster and more convenient, accelerating the full transition to digital Canadian Tire money by 2021. While specific printing costs were not publicly detailed, the move aligned with broader goals by eliminating the need for production and distribution, thereby reducing . To ease the change, announced that all existing paper notes and coins would remain redeemable indefinitely at its stores, with no expiration date. Redemption processes were temporarily suspended during the early but resumed in July 2020, allowing customers to convert physical currency to electronic forms or use it directly. This ensured continuity for holders, though overall physical redemptions declined sharply as digital adoption surged. Public response was mixed, blending for the tactile "unofficial " that had become a cultural staple with appreciation for the convenience of digital rewards. Media outlets in 2020 and 2021, including features on its , portrayed the end as the quiet close of an era, evoking fond memories without widespread backlash. The lack of a formal announcement contributed to its understated fade, though collectors and longtime users expressed sentimental attachment in subsequent coverage.

Ongoing Digital Program and Cultural Impact

In 2025, electronic Canadian Tire Money (eCTM) remains fully integrated into the Rewards program, which boasts nearly 12 million active members across Corporation's banners. Earning rates for eCTM have stayed consistent at 4% on qualifying purchases made with the credit card at participating stores. Approximately 90% of eCTM earned annually is redeemed by members, contributing to significant program scale, with personalized offers driving over $253 million in incremental sales in 2023 alone. In 2024, the Canadian Tire app received updates incorporating the AI-powered CeeTee shopping assistant, which provides personalized recommendations to enhance user engagement and bonus opportunities. Key program enhancements include the 2023 partnership with , expanding eCTM earning and redemption opportunities to over 1,500 fuel stations nationwide and enabling full online redemption at Canadian Tire's platform. Recent expansions in 2025 include a with RBC's Avion Rewards, announced in March and set to launch in 2026, allowing eligible RBC cardholders to earn CT Money at accelerated rates at CTC banners, and a September linkage with enabling CT Money earning on purchases there. eCTM in active Triangle Rewards accounts does not expire, though balances may be forfeited after 18 months of inactivity to encourage ongoing participation. The program demonstrated resilience during the 2020-2022 , with heightened member engagement leading to a 15% increase in average spend per active member in early 2021 and steady membership expansion from over 9 million in 2020 to 11.4 million by the end of 2023. This digital pivot followed the 2020 discontinuation of physical issuance, solidifying eCTM as the program's core. Canadian Tire Money holds enduring cultural significance as an iconic symbol often dubbed Canada's unofficial "second currency," reflecting its deep integration into everyday retail life since . It has appeared prominently in media, including nostalgic TV advertisements highlighting its role in family shopping traditions, and generated widespread online discussion during the shift to digital formats. Vintage paper notes, particularly rare editions, command collectible value, with some 50-cent bills fetching upwards of $1,500 at due to their historical scarcity. Beyond loyalty mechanics, the program symbolizes Canadian retail innovation, powering data-driven that has boosted member retention and sales through targeted offers, as evidenced by case studies showing up to 18% growth in younger demographics via integrated campaigns. Its economic footprint extends to supporting local communities and household spending, underscoring a legacy of customer-centric evolution in the retail sector.

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  39. https://s201.q4cdn.com/326551073/files/doc_financials/2024/ar/2024-Annual-Report-to-Shareholders-ENG-AODA-File_FINAL-s.pdf
  40. http://q4live.s22.clientfiles.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/405442328/files/doc_presentations/en/2021/05/CTC-2020-Investor-Presentation-Deck_Final_May-25.pdf
  41. https://corp.canadiantire.ca/English/media/news-releases/press-release-details/2025/RBC-and-Canadian-Tire-Corporation-announce-strategic-loyalty-partnership-expanding-rewards-and-enhancing-value-for-millions-of-Canadians/default.aspx
  42. https://westjet.mediaroom.com/2025-05-08-Canadian-Tire-Corporation-and-WestJet-Launch-Strategic-Partnership-to-Bring-More-Value-to-Canadians
  43. https://corp.canadiantire.ca/English/media/news-releases/press-release-details/2022/Canadian-Tire-Corporation-Reports-Record-Fourth-Quarter-and-Full-Year-2021-Results/default.aspx
  44. https://customerauth.triangle.com/en/loyalty.html
  45. https://triangle.canadiantire.ca/en/support/legal-and-privacy/program-rules.html
  46. https://triangle.canadiantire.ca/en/support/collecting-and-redeeming.html
  47. https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/customer-service/policies.html
  48. https://www.ctfs.com/content/ctfs3/en/cards/myctm-rules.html
  49. https://corp.canadiantire.ca/English/media/news-releases/press-release-details/2025/Canadian-Tire-Corporation-Reports-Strong-Full-Year-and-Fourth-Quarter-2024-Results/default.aspx
  50. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bc8924fb9144917ed082349/t/5f55ed846cd6b40f39b311e4/1599466900369/LOCAL%2BMONEY%2BAND%2BCOMMUNITY%2BECONOMIC%2BDEVELOPMENT%2BFEB%2B20TH%2B1995.pdf
  51. https://financialpost.com/news/retail-marketing/canadian-tire-buys-hudsons-bay-brands-what-you-need-to-know
  52. https://macleans.ca/society/life/7-surprising-things-bought-with-canadian-tire-money/
  53. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/restaurant-cabin-12-needs-to-find-a-new-home/article626932/
  54. https://triangle.canadiantire.ca/en/merchant-list.html
  55. https://s201.q4cdn.com/326551073/files/doc_downloads/sustainability/2021/PerformanceReport_2020_V3.pdf
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  57. https://retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2024/05/canadian-tire-launches-ai-shopping-assistant-and-humanoid-robots-to-enhance-customer-service-and-operations-interview/
  58. https://corp.canadiantire.ca/English/investors/financial-news/financial-news-details/2023/Canadian-Tire-Corporation-and-Petro-Canada-announce-new-partnership/default.aspx
  59. https://www.todocanada.ca/earn-canadian-tire-money-at-tim-hortons-through-expanded-triangle-rewards/
  60. https://corp.canadiantire.ca/English/media/news-releases/press-release-details/2021/Canadian-Tire-Corporation-Announces-Exceptional-First-Quarter-Results/default.aspx
  61. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/canadian-tire-launches-1-coin/article4295245/
  62. https://macleans.ca/economy/business/your-canadian-tire-money-might-be-priceless/
  63. https://www.thedrum.com/awards-case-study/how-touche-leveraged-loyalty-canadian-tire
  64. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/adv/article-more-than-a-cultural-icon-new-report-shows-canadian-tire-has/
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