On Monday 26 March 2012, Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney officially launched new Canada $50 polymer banknote featuring Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker and research vessel, the Amundsen, the event held at Canadian Coast Guard’s Québec port facility. On the obverse of the new $50 note features a portrait of Sir William Lyon Mackenzie King, while the back depicts the Arctic research icebreaker CCGS Amundsen, in port during the ceremony, as well as other imagery that reflects Canada’s commitment to Arctic research and the development and protection of northern communities. The new notes will be available at all financial institutions according to stages starting Monday.
 |
| New $50 Banknote reverse |
 |
| New $50 Banknote obverse |
"Today is also a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Coast Guard. So we find ourselves in an ideal location, in Québec, a city with a rich maritime heritage," said Governor Carney.
"Icebreakers are an important part of the Coast Guard’s fleet, and it is entirely fitting to feature one on our currency. These new 50 dollar polymer bank notes, the second of our Frontiers series, will become available in banks throughout the country as of today."
"This series of bank notes is called “Frontiers” for two reasons. First, each bank note includes images that represent Canada’s exploits and achievements, particularly those in the sciences, technology or exploration. The image on this note is an example of expanding the frontiers of knowledge and understanding of the Arctic," he added.
The $20 note will be issued later this year, with the remaining bank notes in the series, the $5 and $10 notes, to be issued by the end of 2013. The designs and detailed images of these notes will not be released until their official unveiling dates.
The themes of all of the denominations are:
- $100 Medical Innovation – celebrates Canadian innovations in the field of medicine (Portrait: Sir Robert Borden)
- $50 CCGS Amundsen, Research Icebreaker – reflects Canada’s commitment to Arctic research and the development and protection of northern communities (Portrait: Sir William Lyon Mackenzie King)
- $20 The Canadian National Vimy Memorial – evokes the contributions and sacrifices of Canadians in conflicts throughout our history (Portrait: HM Queen Elizabeth II)
- $10 The Canadian train – represents Canada’s great technical feat of linking its eastern and western frontiers by what was, at the time, the longest railway ever built (Portrait: Sir John A. Macdonald)
- $5 Canadarm2 and Dextre – symbolize Canada’s continuing contribution to the international space program through robotics innovation (Portrait: Sir Wilfrid Laurier)
