From Details philatelic catalogue, mid-January:

Issue date January 22, 2021
Willow Grove, NB, and Amber Valley, AB

Settlers faced immense challenges forging a new life in the rugged Canadian wilderness. But few were as harsh as those endured by many early Black settlers who fled the United States in the early 19th and early 20th centuries to escape the cruelty of enslavement and racial discrimination.

These stamps – the 13th issue in our Black History Month series – tell the stories of two Black communities nearly one hundred years and thousands of kilometres apart. Both rose from hardship to survive and grow for a time and served as stepping stones for the success of future generations of Black Canadians.

In 1817, a group of Black refugees from the War of 1812 – most of them formerly enslaved – founded the tiny settlement of Willow Grove, New Brunswick. They received licences to live on land that turned out to be of poor farming quality, and when they tried to support themselves temporarily in nearby Saint John, they were met with racist restrictions.

Nearly a century later, Amber Valley, Alberta, was established by 30 Black families who had journeyed from the American South to flee the escalating violence and segregation laws. They faced many of the same challenges as Willow Grove: bone-chilling winters, inhospitable land and the racial discrimination they had hoped to leave behind. Through perseverance and hard work, both communities overcame many obstacles. They actively challenged racial discrimination and built schools, churches and other community organizations. Amber Valley became a vibrant community whose baseball team was famous throughout the province, while the opening of Willow Grove Baptist Church in 1878 anchored the growing community of Willow Grove.

Although their populations eventually declined as subsequent generations pursued education and employment elsewhere, there is no doubt that these Black settlers and their descendants have enriched Canada’s economic and social fabric.

Designed by Lara Minja of Lime Design Inc. and illustrated by Rick Jacobson, this issue features depictions based on archival photos of community members, maps of the two locations and images of the seafaring ship and covered wagons that carried the settlers to their new homes.

Post-issuance press release, added January 27th:

[press release]
Early communities honoured in 13th Black History Month series
Stamps tell of the struggle and strength of two Black Canadian settlements

SAINT JOHN, NB and ATHABASCA, AB – The challenges faced by two waves of Black immigrants from the United States in the early 19th and early 20th centuries come to light in a pair of stamps issued this month by Canada Post. These stamps – the 13th issue in our Black History Month series – celebrate the hope and perseverance of the Black pioneers who founded Willow Grove, New Brunswick, and Amber Valley, Alberta.

About the Communities
Willow Grove was founded in 1817 by Black refugees. Most had been enslaved African Americans who were offered their freedom and land in exchange for supporting the British in the War of 1812. They were issued licences to live on land that turned out to be of poor farming quality and received little assistance. When they tried to support themselves temporarily in nearby Saint John, they were met with racist restrictions. But the residents fought for their rights and formed a thriving community.

The Black settlers who founded Amber Valley around 1910 had journeyed from the American south to escape escalating violenceand segregation laws. Seeking a better life for their families, they carved a living from the dense bush and muskeg but continued to endure ongoing racial discrimination, including government measures that prevented other people of African descent from settling in Canada. The residents, however, were determined to succeed, and the community they built flourished.

Although separated by nearly a hundred years, the two communities experienced similar hardships and triumphs, and both served as stepping stones for the success of future generations of Black Canadians.

About the Stamps
Designed by Lara Minja of Lime Design Inc. and illustrated by Rick Jacobson, these stamps feature illustrations based on archivalphotos of community members, maps showing the location of each settlement, and images of the different means of transportation that carried the pioneers to their new life in Canada.

Printed by Lowe-Martin, this issue includes a booklet of 10 Permanent™ stamps featuring both designs and two Official First Day Covers – one for each stamp.

Stamps and collectibles are available at canadapost.ca/shop.

[en Francais]
Hommage aux premières communautés dans le 13e volet de la série consacrée au Mois de l’histoire des Noirs
Les timbres illustrent le courage de deux groupes d’immigrants noirs au Canada

SAINT JOHN, NB et ATHABASCA, AB, le 27 janv. 2021 /CNW/ – Les difficultés auxquelles ont fait face deux groupes d’immigrants noirs en provenance des États-Unis au début du 19e et du 20e siècle sont illustrées sur une paire de timbres émis ce mois-ci par Postes Canada. Le 13e volet de la série sur le Mois de l’histoire des Noirs rend hommage à l’espoir et à la persévérance des pionniers noirs qui ont fondé Willow Grove, au Nouveau-Brunswick, et Amber Valley, en Alberta.

À propos des communautés
Willow Grove est fondée en 1817 par des réfugiés noirs. La plupart d’entre eux sont d’anciens esclaves afro-américains à qui on offre la liberté et des terres pour avoir combattu les Britanniques pendant la guerre de 1812. Ils reçoivent des permis pour vivre, avec peu de soutien, sur des terres qui s’avèrent peu cultivables. Lorsqu’ils tentent de subvenir temporairement à leurs besoins à Saint John, qui se trouve à proximité, ils se heurtent à des restrictions racistes. Mais les résidants défendent leurs droits et forment une communauté florissante.

Les pionniers noirs qui ont fondé Amber Valley vers 1910 atteignent le Nord après avoir échappé aux lois racistes et à la violence du sud des États-Unis. Remplis d’espoir pour leur famille, ils parviennent à gagner leur vie au cœur d’une végétation dense et marécageuse, mais continuent à subir une discrimination raciale, notamment les mesures gouvernementales qui empêchent d’autres personnes d’origine africaine de s’établir au Canada. Grâce à la persévérance et au travail acharné de ses résidants, Amber Valley devient toutefois une communauté florissante.

Malgré le siècle qui les sépare, les deux communautés surmontent des obstacles et remportent des victoires similaires, et contribuent toutes les deux au succès des Canadiens noirs des générations futures.

À propos des timbres
Conçus par Lara Minja, de Lime Design inc., et illustrés par Rick Jacobson, ces timbres s’appuient sur des photos d’archive des membres des deux communautés, sur des cartes de leurs emplacements respectifs et sur des images des différents moyens de transport utilisés par les pionniers pour voyager vers leur nouvelle vie au Canada.
Imprimée par Lowe-Martin, cette série comprend un carnet de 10 timbres PermanentsMC de chaque motif et deux plis Premier Jour officiels, un pour chaque vignette.

Les timbres et les articles de collection sont disponibles en ligne à postescanada.ca/achat.

N’hésitez pas à utiliser les images, les entrevues et les renseignements qui se trouvent dans nos courtes vidéos pour les médias sociaux (Willow Grove, Amber Valley), la publication En détail et le Magazine de Postes Canada.

Pre-New Year’s Overview story is here.

Updated November 22^nd, subject to change. Canada Post announced in late September that “other stamps originally slated for release in September will now be issued later this fall.” Not all of the information here is confirmed by Canada Post.

January 15 January 22 February 16 March 1 March 7 April 8 April 15 April 22 April 29 June 7 June 29 July 21 September 20 Oct 8 October 14 October 19 October 20 October 21 October 29 November 1 November 1 November 8 November 18 November 25

Lunar New Year Black History Settlements Snow Mammals Crabapple Blossoms Concordia University of Edmonton env. Junos awards anniversary Discovery of Insulin Eid Legends of Canadian Ballet Prime Minister John Turner Schooner Bluenose Stan Rogers Community Foundation Editorial Cartoonists Christopher Plummer Diwali Royal Canadian Horse Artillery env. Valour Road WWI Heroes Remembrance Poppy Christmas Angels Christmas Characters Hanukkah Buffy Sainte-Marie Margaret Atwood

Canada Post’s 2022 stamp programme preview

Rather than a single Year of the Ox stamp, Canada Post is producing a look back at its Lunar New Year series, from 2009 to 2020. These were issued January 15th.

However, as of January 25th, two of the Lunar New Year products are sold out: “We are sold out of the Lunar New Year Cycle pane of 12 stamps and the framed uncut press sheet that were offered through mail order and our online store,” Canada Post spokeswoman Valérie Chartrand told The Virtual Stamp Club. “Customers in Canada can find limited quantities in some post offices. Due to popularity and high demand, we expect other products available through mail order to be sold out soon.”

Following are the English and French versions of the day-of-issue press release (accompanied by a detail of just the Ox international-rate souvenir sheet from the uncut press sheet), and a video.

[press release]
Festive Lunar New Year series wraps up with a flourish
Special collectible issue features all 24 stamp designs from the last 12 years

OTTAWA – As spectacular as the celebration itself, a special set of Lunar New Year stamps was issued today, ushering in the Year of the Ox with a retrospective collection of all 24 colourful stamp designs from the past 12 years.

Orchestrated with this special finale in mind, the second Lunar New Year series, which ran from 2009 to 2020, followed on the heels of the popular first series, which appeared from 1997 to 2008. One of China’s liveliest and most anticipated festivals, Lunar New Year is celebrated in many countries around the world, including Canada, which is home to nearly two million people of Chinese descent.

About Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year celebrations mark the beginning of the new year in the Chinese lunar calendar. The calendar follows the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac in which each year is represented by an animal. According to one legend, the order of the animals was determined by how they placed in a race called by the Jade Emperor. The first to cross the finish line was Rat, followed by Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and, finally, Pig.

About the Stamps
Designed by Paprika, this collectible, wrap-up issue features all 24 of the original stamp designs – one Permanent™ domestic rate stamp and one international stamp rate from each year – from the 2009 to 2020 Lunar New Year series. Sharing standardized elements, such as size, palette, perforations and special effects, the stamps feature creative portrayals of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, as imagined by the many designers who contributed to the series.

Printed by Lowe-Martin and Gravure Choquet, the issue includes a booklet of 12 Permanent domestic rate stamps based on the designs previously denominated at the international rate, a pane based on the 12 original Permanent designs, and an uncut press sheet based on the 12 original international rate souvenir sheet designs, as well as framed products.

Given the high demand for this stamp issue and limited quantities available at post offices, we encourage our customers to order online at canadapost.ca/shop. [en Francais]
La série haute en couleur sur la Nouvelle Année lunaire s’offre une finale éclatante
Une émission spéciale à collectionner regroupe l’ensemble des 24 timbres des 12 dernières années

OTTAWA – Aussi spectaculaire que la célébration elle-même, un jeu de timbres spécial sur la Nouvelle Année lunaire a été émis aujourd’hui pour lancer l’année du Buffle avec une collection rétrospective regroupant l’ensemble des 24 timbres hauts en couleur des 12 dernières années.

Orchestrée avec cette grande finale en tête, la deuxième série de la Nouvelle Année lunaire, qui a eu lieu de 2009 à 2020, faisait suite à la première série parue de 1997 à 2008. La Nouvelle Année lunaire, un des festivals les plus animés et les plus attendus en Chine, est célébrée dans plusieurs pays du monde, y compris le Canada, où vivent près de deux millions de personnes d’origine chinoise.

À propos de la Nouvelle Année lunaire
Les célébrations de la Nouvelle Année lunaire marquent le début de la nouvelle année dans le calendrier lunaire chinois. Le calendrier suit le cycle de 12 ans du zodiaque chinois dans lequel chaque année est représentée par un animal. Selon la légende, l’ordre des animaux a été déterminé en fonction de leur ordre d’arrivée dans une course qu’avait organisée l’Empereur de Jade. Le premier à franchir la ligne d’arrivée a été le rat, suivi du buffle, du tigre, du lièvre, du dragon, du serpent, du cheval, du bélier, du singe, du coq, du chien et, finalement, du cochon.

À propos des timbres
Conçue par Paprika, cette dernière émission à collectionner contient l’ensemble de 24 timbres originaux, dont un timbre PermanentMC au tarif du régime intérieur et un timbre au tarif du régime international pour chaque année de la série sur la Nouvelle Année lunaire parue de 2009 à 2020. Les timbres, qui partagent certaines caractéristiques comme la taille, la palette de couleurs, les perforations et les effets spéciaux, illustrent avec originalité les 12 animaux du zodiaque chinois tels qu’imaginés par les nombreux designers qui ont contribué à la série.

Imprimée par Lowe-Martin et Gravure Choquet, l’émission comprend un carnet de 12 timbres PermanentsMC du régime intérieur tirés des motifs qui portaient à l’origine le tarif du régime international, un feuillet composé des 12 motifs des timbres Permanents originaux et une planche non coupée des 12 motifs tirés des blocs-feuillets au tarif du régime international originaux, ainsi que les produits encadrés.

Étant donné la popularité de cette émission et les quantités limitées offertes dans les bureaux de poste, nous recommandons aux clients de passer une commande en ligne à postescanada.ca/magasiner.

A video from Canada Post:

From earlier:

The 2 international-rate souvenir sheets will be offered in an uncut press sheet: Each of the souvenir sheets will represent the current international rate of $2.71.

A booklet of 12 domestic-rate stamps will feature the designs previously used for the international rates: And a pane of 12 domestic-rate stamps will use the domestic-rate designs from 2009-2020.These stamps will be water-activated (“lick ‘n stick”).

Canada Post will also offer several framed products.