[press release]
2020 Canadian stamps will tell stories of the Group of Seven, medical groundbreakers and V-E Day’s 75th anniversary
Stamps will also explore the history of radio in Canada and celebrate artist Maud Lewis, our landscapes, Indigenous Peoples and festivals

OTTAWA – The stories behind some of Canada’s most historic moments, awe-inspiring achievements, artistic icons and medical visionaries will come to life in the 2020 stamp program. Here are highlights:

• Canadians who contributed to the Allied victory will be honoured with stamps marking the 75th anniversary of V-E Day – the end of the Second World War in Europe;
• the history of radio in Canada; [Below, radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi watching associates raising the kite (a “Levitor” by B.F.S. Baden-Powell) used to lift the antenna at St. John’s, Newfoundland, December 1901. Photo from Wikipedia.]
• notable works by the Group of Seven in a seven-stamp set marking their 100th anniversary;
• an issue featuring two legends of Canadian ballet;
• the history, culture and contributions of Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and Métis;
• an issue of vintage travel posters (promising sunny skies, memorable sights and fascinating adventures);
• a five-stamp set on medical groundbreakers to honour the life-saving contributions of some of Canada’s most respected health care researchers;
• a stamp featuring an evocative work by First World War artist Mary Riter Hamilton.

These popular multi-year stamp series will make an encore appearance:

• Dahlias will be the pretty pick for this year’s annual Flowers stamps;
• breathtaking images of the Northwest Territories’ Carcajou Falls, Prince Edward Island’s French River and British Columbia’s Kootenay National Park, which celebrates its centennial in 2020, in the From Far and Wide series;
• the long-running Lunar New Year series will reach the tail end with the Year of the Rat;
• Black History Month will be commemorated in time for February celebrations;
• the Canada Post Community Foundation stamp issue will continue to support Canadian children and youth;
• Eid, Diwali and Hanukkah will return as part of a recurring series;
• our Christmas and holiday stamps will feature traditional scenes of the Nativity and the colourful folk art of Nova Scotia’s Maud Lewis.

Canada Post is proud of its role as Canada’s storyteller. The independent Stamp Advisory Committee, which recommends the subjects for our annual stamp program, relies on thoughtful input from groups and individuals to ensure that our choices are meaningful to Canadians.

Added November 4, 2019, from Details magazine/catalogue:

Would you like a sneak peek into the future of the Canadian stamp program? Here are some of the issues we’re excited to release next year.

We’ll kick off 2020 with another set of From Far and Wide definitive stamps depicting nine more scenic sites to add to your bucket list. We’ll end the Lunar New Year cycle with the Year of the Rat, honour Black History Month and offer a bouquet of dahlias for our annual Flowers series.

In the spring , we’ll mark the 75th anniversary of the Victory in Europe, celebrate Eid with a new stamp design, turn the dial to the history of radio in Canada, and applaud the arts with stamp issues honouring the Group of Seven and Canadian ballet legends. We’ll also offer stamps featuring some amazing destinations with an issue on vintage travel posters.

In the fall, the Canada Post Community Foundation stamp will once again provide Canadians with a means of helping children and youth. We’ll salute Canadian medical groundbreakers whose research has saved countless lives, mark the luminous festival of Diwali and remember those who have served in our nation’s defence with a stamp featuring the work of war artist Mary Riter Hamilton. Finally, we’ll wrap up the year with holiday stamps featuring the Nativity, the festive folk art of Maud Lewis and a new Hanukkah issue.

We always welcome topics for the annual stamp program (note that we work 12 to 24 months ahead of the date of issue). If you have any ideas you’d like considered, please send them to:

Chair of the Stamp Advisory Committee
Canada Post Corporation
2701 Riverside Drive Suite N875
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0B1