@ ShearBear,
I won't disagree with your comment regarding the buying power of C$100 in those days, or inflationary, however your comment on a return of 4% pa may not be correct, if the amount deposited is only $500. Perhaps you may get a pretty good rate in those years, but like you say, when the inflationary factor kicks in, the amount will get less and less attractive, and eventually you will be lucky to get any interest rate in return.
Perhaps this is the case in Canadian banks, but in some countries, you will be lucky to get a return of 0.10% p.a. for that amount on a fixed term deposit.