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Comment by jhbadger | Hacker News Reader

Even though I'm from the US I lived and worked in Canada for about five years in the late 90s/early 2000s. It was interesting how common Canadian Tire money was (which was still physical bills then). Everybody had it because Canadian Tire (which is really more of Walmart-style store rather than just a tire store) was a popular place to shop, but it was accepted in many other places like farmer's markets and independent restaurants.

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> but it was accepted in many other places like farmer's markets and independent restaurants

Where were you in Canada? I definitely didn’t have the same experience (in the GTA). Lots of Canadian Tire money circulation and regular trips there in my house, but it was not a thing beyond Canadian Tire.

Waterloo for most of it (where I was a postdoc at the University of Waterloo, then I was at a company in Quebec but that's a world into itself where even Canadian Tire itself was uncommon compared to Ontario). I remember Canadian Tire money being practically a default second currency at the St Jacob's market near Waterloo.

Strange, I was not far from there. I can imagine it being accepted at St. Jacob’s, but I suspect that it was a rather special case. I certainly can’t recall any restaurants in Waterloo taking Canadian Tire money. Then again, I never asked. Thanks for humoring me!

I grew up in York Region and while I wouldn't say it was common I did see places that accepted Canadian Tire Money often. Also local one person shops, or at the markets though. Never saw it at a restaurant that I can remember.

In 90’s New Brunswick it was practically legal tender. Accepted at basically every mom and pop store, and even many chains. Not so much since the turn of the century.

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