<Tr> <Th> Design date </Th> <Td> 2001 2005 </Td> </Tr> <P> The Canadian ten - dollar note is one of the most common banknotes of the Canadian dollar . </P> <P> The current ten - dollar note is dominantly purple in colour . The front features a portrait of Canada's first Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald, and a metallic image of the Library of Parliament . The reverse side shows Via Rail's train, the Canadian, with the Canadian Rockies in the background; this is accompanied by a Via Rail route map . Yellow dots representing the EURion constellation can be found on both sides . As well as textured printing, this design includes Braille dots for the blind indicating the denomination as a new tactile feature . </P> <P> An updated version of the note began circulation on May 18, 2005, with new security features . On the front, these include a holographic stripe along the left side, depicting the number 10 alternated with maple leaves; a watermark of Macdonald's portrait; and a broken - up number 10, which resolves itself when backlit (the latter two which replaced the shiny - leaf feature). On the back, it has an interleaved metallic strip, reading' 10 CAN' repeatedly along its length . </P>

Whose portrait is on the canadian $10 bill