In which year was the toonie (Canadian two-dollar coin) introduced?

The toonie (also spelled twonie or twoonie), formally the Canadian two-dollar coin, was introduced on February 19, 1996, by Minister of Public Works Diane Marleau. "Toonie" is a portmanteau word combining the number "two" with the name of the loonie, Canada's one-dollar coin. As of 2023, it possesses the highest monetary value of any circulating Canadian coin. The toonie is a bi-metallic coin which on the reverse side features an image of a polar bear by artist Brent Townsend. The obverse, since 2023, bears a portrait of King Charles III.

The coin is manufactured using a patented distinctive bi-metallic coin-locking mechanism. The coins are estimated to last 20 years. The discontinued two-dollar bill was less expensive to manufacture but lasted only one year on average.

Coins minted prior to 2012 consist of an aluminum bronze inner core with a pure nickel outer ring; but in March–May 2012, the composition of the inner core switched to aluminum bronze coated with multi-ply plated brass, and the outer ring switched to steel coated with multi-ply plated nickel. The weight dropped from 7.30 to 6.92 g, and the thickness changed from 1.8 to 1.75 mm.