National Post (National Edition)
New polymer $5, $10 bills get space launch
OT TAWA • The Bank of Canada made intergalactic histor y Tuesday as it enlisted Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield in a secret mission, planned months in advance, to launch one of its newest polymer bank bills from space.
The surprise guest joined a news conference from the international space station. Floating the prototype bill in front of him more than 350 kilometres above Earth, Mr. Hadfield said the polymer notes show “how we can reach new heights of innovation.”
What was he unveiling, exactly?
Mr. Hadfield showed off the country’s new space-themed $5 polymer bill.
The event took months of planning by the Bank of Canada to ensure Mr. Hadfield had the prototype before his departure for the space station in December 2012.
As well, Via Rail chairman Paul Smith unveiled a new polymer $10 bill, which fea- tures a train going through Canada’s Rocky Mountains.
Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney said the new bills are safer, cheaper and greener. The material is resistant to tearing and can last two and a half times longer than the old bills. The new technology makes these bills harder to counterfeit. Mr. Carney said counterfeiting rates had dropped by 92% in 2012 from their peak in 2004 after switching over other, largerdenomination bills. New $20, $50 and $100 polymer bills are already in circulation.
The Bank of Canada said that more than 80% of Canadians approved of the switch to polymer.
The polymer material has a smooth feel — with raised ink to help the visually impaired. The new bills also have transparent windows to the left of their main image.
They’re scheduled to hit shops and wallets in November 2013. The Bank of Canada is making the bills available to industry six months prior to circulation so businesses can upgrade machinery to accept them.