OTTAWA – The Bank of Canada will begin circulating the new $5 and $10 bills, the final two notes in the new Polymer series, on Thursday, 7 November 2013.

A ceremony to officially issue the new $5 note, which symbolizes Canada’s continuing contribution to the International Space Station program through robotics innovation, and features the Canadarm2 and Dextre on the back of the note, will be held at the Canadian Space Agency in Saint-Hubert, Quebec.

Joining Bank of Canada Governor Stephen S. Poloz to speak at the event will be Chris Hadfield, retired Canadian astronaut and former Commander of the International Space Station.

A ceremony to officially issue the $10 note, which represents Canada’s great technical feat of linking its eastern and western frontiers by what was, at the time, the longest railway ever built, will be held simultaneously at Vancouver’s train station. Joining Senior Deputy Governor Tiff Macklem to speak at the event will be Marc Laliberté, President and CEO of VIA Rail Canada.

More information on the theme and various security features surrounding the new $5 and $10 polymer bank notes will be available soon.  Special security features like with the previously released $100 bill having a scent of maple syrup and more traditional raised ink and hidden numbers may all be possibilities.

The Bank of Canada issued the $100 bank note in November 2011, followed by the $50 note in March 2012 and the $20 note in November 2012. The $5 and $10 notes are the final notes to be issued in the Polymer series.

The Bank of Canada has also released these helpful tips on handling the new series of bills:

• Just handed several brand new notes? To separate them, quickly fan them, tap them against a hard surface, shuffle them, or snap two notes together.

• When counting, hold the notes in one hand and use your thumb to push the top bill into your other hand.
• Wipe soiled notes with a damp cloth.
• Dry wet notes with a towel.
• Repair torn notes with tape and use them again. They will be removed from circulation when they are returned to the Bank of Canada.

To help the notes last longer:

• Avoid creasing, crumpling, folding or stapling them.
• Flatten crumpled or creased notes by applying pressure to them or curling them in your hand.

SOURCE Bank of Canada