Updated February 12th: The international-rate stamp, its Official First Day Cover and the picture postcard are all sold out.

[press release]
Monkey takes centre stage in 12-year Lunar New Year series OTTAWA, Jan. 6, 2016 /CNW/ – Today, Canada Post unveiled the images that will be featured on commemorative stamps celebrating the Year of the Monkey, which begins February 8, 2016 and ends January 27, 2017. The Monkey is the eighth stamp in Canada Post’s 12-year Lunar New Year series, which began with the Ox.

The stamps are being released in two waves – one for domestic rate (January 11) and another for international rate (February 1). All stamps and related products can be pre-ordered on canadapost.ca/shop.

Domestic and international stamps were inspired by the legend of the Monkey King, also known as Sun Wukong, one of the main characters in the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Also transformed into a famous Chinese opera, the story tells of how the sovereign accompanied the monk Xuanzang on a journey to India to retrieve sacred Buddhist texts known as sutras.

Designed by Albert Ng and Linna Xu, the domestic stamp depicts a golden figure that is vibrant and alive against a rich red background that provides a stark and striking contrast, while the international-rate stamp features a stylized Monkey King mask with red and gold accents. Popular Chinese New Year’s greetings appear at the edge of the pane of 25 and on the OFDCs.

Those born in the Year of the Monkey are said to possess brilliance, flexibility and inventiveness, along with an excellent memory and strong will to succeed. They can, however, be easily frustrated by delays, tend to look down on others and have a fast-flaring temper. Canadians born to this lunar year include singer Céline Dion, actress Kim Cattrall and legendary pianist Glenn Gould.

About the stamps
The Year of the Monkey domestic and international stamps measure 32 mm x 32 mm and the souvenir sheet 40 mm x 140 mm. In the first wave, issued January 11, are: a Permanent™ stamp that comes in a pane of 25 or a booklet of 10 (stamps in the pane are embossed and foiled); Permanent™ stamp OFDCs; and a postcard. Available February 1 will be: an international stamp that comes in a booklet of six; a single stamp souvenir sheet that includes foil and embossing; a transitional souvenir sheet that honours both the Ram (2015) and the Monkey (2016) and includes foil and embossing; a souvenir sheet OFDC; an uncut press sheet with foil and embossing; a postcard; and frames.

Canada Post has announced stamps for the 50th anniversary of “Star Trek.” Details are being released slowly: Get the latest here.

[press release]
Canada Post’s 2016 stamp program: exploring the Canadian cultural, historical, and natural landscape
Updated March 13th

OTTAWA, Nov. 18, 2015 /CNW/ – From historic achievements and milestone moments in Canada’s political movement to wild creatures from the past and present, the subjects Canada Post has announced for its 2016 stamp program are unique threads in the nation’s fabric. A couple of special releases are still under wraps and will be announced closer to their launch date.

Strong Women: A new definitive stamp honouring Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be issued, a fitting tribute to the longest reigning monarch in history. [Issued January 11th; details here.] A special commemorative stamp will also mark the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in Canada and its role in the fight for equality. [Issued March 8th; details here.]

Strong Men: This year’s Black History Month stamp will pay homage to the brave men of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, which celebrates its centennial anniversary in 2016. [Issued February 1st; details here] Some tough and talented Canadian puck-handlers get the nod in the fourth set in a five-year series leading up to the 100th anniversary of the National Hockey League.

Happy Holidays: The popular Lunar New Year stamp series continues with the eighth release in the 12-year series – this time, with the Monkey taking the reins from the Ram. [Issued January 11th and February 1st; details here.] The year closes out, as always, with the highly anticipated religious and secular Christmas stamps, the former featuring Master of the Castello Nativity’s Virgin and Child and the latter, images from Rolf Harder Christmas cards.

Flora and Fauna: Canada’s wildlife takes centre stage in two upcoming issues, as the showy hydrangea thrills fans of the Flower series [Issued March 1st; details here.] and new talent shines with the launch of a series on Official Birds. This time around, the cast features the Atlantic puffin (NL), the rock ptarmigan (NT), the sharp-tailed grouse (SK), the common raven (YT) and the great horned owl (AB).

Scary Stuff: The final offering in the Haunted Canada series comes to a (dead) end with frightful scenes from Nunavut’s Nahanni region and Prince Edward Island’s Holland Cove. Dino-philes will delight as the second wave of Dinos of Canada comes crashing in with Cypretherium coarctatum (SK), Acrotholous (AB), Atrociraptor marshalli (AB), Bathygnathus borealis (PEI) and the Comox Valley elasmosaur (BC).

Eye Candy: Spectacular images continue to grace the offerings in two ongoing stamp series. The fourth installation of Canadian Photography will take a loving look through the lenses of Michel Campeau, Lutz Dille, Angela Grauerholz, Byron Harmon, Alexander Henderson, Humphrey Lloyd Hime and Yousuf Karsh. [Issue April 13th] Some of Canada’s most treasured landscapes will appear in the latest issue on UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Old Town Lunenburg (NS), SGang Gwaay (BC), the Rideau Canal (ON), the Landscape of Grand Pré (NS) and Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump (AB).

A Stamp that Soars: The stylized bird featured on this year’s annual Canada Post Community Foundation Stamp symbolizes hope for the youth who benefit from the programs supported, in part, by the proceeds earned from this semi-postal fundraising stamp.

“Our 2016 issues highlight historic moments, fantastic stories, and unique places,” says Deepak Chopra, President and CEO of Canada Post. “They take us all around the country and invite us back in time. They help make our stories come alive and, in so doing, help to define what being Canadian is all about.”

Canada Post’s Stamp Advisory Committee recommends the themes and designs for the annual stamp program. The committee is composed of individuals from across Canada who have diverse skills and subject-matter expertise, represent both English- and French-speaking populations, and reflect the country’s multicultural make-up. Canada Post’s Board of Directors review the committee’s recommendations to establish the final selections for each year.