Mark Carney’s $5 Polymer Note Unveiling Recruited Astronaut Chris Hadfield

Former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney wanted a really out of this world unveiling for the new $5 polymer note. It took two years of planning, but his dream of getting Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian commander of the International Space Station, to appear in a live satellite hook-up went off without a hitch. Carney knew he was soon heading off to a new role with the Bank of England and personally requested astronaut Hadfield’s participation from space when the new $5 note premiered.

Although the original plans suggested by those orchestrating the live debut of the new currency was for a taped segment featuring Hadfield aboard the spacecraft, Carney began lobbying to arrange for an exciting live feed, since he knew Hadfield already had a $5 polymer note in his possession aboard the International Space Station. Officials at the Canadian Space Agency originally balked at the idea to attempt a live feed, saying that there were too many variables associated with arranging a satellite downlink. But it was a bit too difficult to say no way to Canada’s top financial VIP and within a few day’s time from Carney’s suggestion being made, all systems were go for Hadfield to participate in a live presentation when the new polymer note was unveiled.

There were three contingency plans in place in the event that the satellite link were lost either before or during the ceremony. When asked about his intervention to get Hatfield involved in the unveiling ceremony, Carney’s office admitted they had a hunch that news media would be more excited about covering the event if Hatfield actually showed off the new $5 polymer note directly from his location on the International Space Station, although the price tag for a live feed was slightly more than $9,000.

Online:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/mark-carney-wanted-orbiting-chris-hadfield-at-5-polymer-note-unveiling-1.2575810