Apparently at the RCNA convention this summer a rep from RCM saw one at the PM Coins table and said these are not supposed to be in circ, they do not exist
I love how facts can get twisted around. This has nothing to do with the Royal Canadian Mint.
I was there in person with the dealer in question and the "RCM rep" who was actually a Bank of Canada employee. While I won't name said employee as I believe their comments were intended to be unofficial and personal in nature, I will say that this employee had heard of the Macklem/Carney $5s and was under the impression that none had been intentionally released into general circulation. However, they did acknowledge that it may have been possible for some to have inadvertently reached the public given their initial distribution to cash handling device manufacturers and no strict instructions on what to do with the notes afterward (if I recall correctly).
Bottom line: Macklem/Carney HBG $5 notes most certainly do exist, as has been confirmed by the Bank of Canada through official channels. The changeovers are posted in the SNDB and the latest Charlton catalogue... No secrets there. Of that range of notes, only a smaller subrange has been observed in circulation, again as shown in the SNDB. They're out there. They're legitimate, normal notes. Have fun finding yours!
Logged
BWJM, F.O.N.A.
Life Member of CPMS, RCNA, ONA, ANA, IBNS, WCS.
President, IBNS Ontario Chapter.
Treasurer, Waterloo Coin Society.
Show Chair, Cambridge Coin Show.
Fellow of the Ontario Numismatic Association.