Canada's new $100 bills are supposed to be stronger and last longer than previous bills.

But a Brandon man is questioning the durability of the new plastic ones.

"When the teller counted the money out, right away (I) noticed that this one had a crack or something where it was folded," said Charles Shepard.

He said as the teller handed him the money, two of the $100 bills with cracks in them began to rip even more.

Shepard put that to the test. He put a full can of cola on top of a new $100 bill.

When he pulled on the bill, he said it ripped in half.

"It's similar to thin tin foil or plastic food wrap. You pull on it but as soon as it's got a mark or tear on it, it just peels apart," he said.

Shepard used the same method to test out an old paper $50 with cracks in it. He also tested pieces of two-ply toilet paper. He was able to pull both items without ripping them with cans of cola resting on top of them.

"I think I'd rather have two fifties - the older paper bills. I don't think the Canadian $100 bill should be weaker than two-ply toilet paper, said Shepard.

The Bank of Canada said it's aware of the issue.

"One of the elements of the polymer compound upon which the bills are printed will basically cause the bills to tear if there's a nick of any of the four sides of the bill. And the bills themselves can be cut but not torn," said Ted Mieszkalski from the Bank of Canada.

The Bank of Canada said the issues with the bills are not a major concern.

They said they're still more durable than the paper ones.

Banks and retailers who spoke with CTV News said they haven't had any problems with the new bills ripping.

"When you get several of them, they're slippery so they're a little bit harder to count, but other than that they're great," said Tracy Jonasson from Brandon Home Hardware.

Charles Shepard, meanwhile, still wants others to be aware of the issues with the new $100 bills.

The Bank of Canada said anyone who has polymer bills with rips in them should exchange them for new ones at a financial institution.

- with a report from CTV's Josh Crabb