Bank of Canada to Begin Circulating New $20 Polymer Bank Note

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Nov 07, 2012, 09:51 ET

OTTAWA, Nov. 7, 2012 /CNW/ - The Bank of Canada will begin circulating the new $20 bill, Canada's most widely used bank note, on Wednesday, 7 November 2012.

A ceremony to officially issue the new $20 note, which pays tribute to the contributions and sacrifices of Canadian men and women in all military conflicts, and features the Canadian National Vimy Memorial on the back of the note, will be held at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

Joining Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney to speak at the event will be the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance , the Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs, and Mr. David Houghton, President of the Vimy Foundation.

At the conclusion of the event, members of the media will have an opportunity to meet with experts to find out more about the theme and various security and durability features, and to purchase a $20 new polymer bank note.

Time:	At 13:00 (ET), journalists, press photographers and TV crews are invited to attend the issue event at the Canadian War Museum, located at 1 Vimy Place, Ottawa, Ontario. Please be sure to have your press accreditation with you.
	Note: No Q&A period is scheduled.

Webcast:	Audio and video webcasts of the event will be accessible from the Bank's website (http://www.bankofcanada.ca/media-room/webcasts).

Distribution:	A press release and the Governor's remarks will be available at 13:00 (ET) on the Bank's website. (http://www.bankofcanada.ca)

Photo Op:	At 13:30 p.m. (ET), during the ceremony, there will be a photo opportunity in which Governor Carney will present Canadian War Museum Director General James Whitham with a $20 polymer memento. Following this presentation, a second photo-op will be held with Governor Carney and Minister of Finance Flaherty at the Museum gift Shop.

Expert Kiosk:	At 13:45 (ET), kiosks will be open for journalists to visit and ask questions.

Note Exchange:	The new $20 note will be available on-site for purchase by members of the media. Only cash purchases will be accepted. There will be no provisions for debit or credit transactions.

Note to Editors:	Journalists will be provided with a media kit that will include high-resolution images, an official press release and other relevant information. Video B-roll will also be available. Please note that B-roll may also be downloaded at the following site: http://www.bankofcanada.ca/banknotes/audience-specific-resources/media/

Regional Events:	In addition to the national issue ceremony, a series of regional media events will take place on Wednesday, 7 November. Bank of Canada Senior Regional Representatives across the country will have examples of the new $20 note and will be available to answer questions.

BC/Yukon Region:	At 10:15 (Pacific Time), media are invited to attend an event at the Brigadier Angle Armoury, 720 Lawrence Ave, Kelowna, BC.

Prairies Region:	At 11:15 (Mountain Standard Time), media are invited to attend an event in the Queen Elizabeth II Atrium at The Military Museums, 4520 Crowchild Trail SW, Calgary, AB.

Ontario Region:	At 13:15 (Eastern Time), media are invited to attend an event at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, L Wing (George Hees Wing), Veteran Residence, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON

Quebec Region:	At 13:15 (Eastern Time) media are invited to attend an event at The Black Watch (RHR) Canada, 2067 Bleury Street, Montréal, QC

Atlantic Region:	At 14:15 (Atlantic Time), media are invited to attend an event at the Veterans Affairs Canada, Daniel J. MacDonald Building, 161 Grafton Street, Charlottetown, PE

Background:	*On the Polymer* series** The Bank of Canada issued the $100 bank note in November 2011, followed by the $50 note in March 2012.The remaining bank notes in the series, the $5 and $10 notes, will be unveiled and issued by the end of 2013. Further details regarding timelines for the unveiling and issuance of these notes will be made available in the coming months.