[press release]
Stamp honours the 100th presentation of the Memorial Cup
Trophy tells Canadian story of community, family, honour and respect

REGINA – Hours before the puck drops to start the 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup Championship tournament, Canada Post lifted the veil on its newest stamp at City Hall, celebrating the storied history of one of the most cherished trophies in sport.

“The Memorial Cup, 100th Presentation stamp symbolizes junior hockey supremacy in North America, hockey’s connection to community and Canadians’ respect for tradition,” says Jessica McDonald, Canada Post’s Chair of the Board of Directors and Interim President and CEO. “The Cup is part of the very fabric of our great nation.”

Donated in remembrance of Canadians who made the supreme sacrifice for their country during the First World War, the Cup was rededicated in 2010 to the memory of all members of the Canadian Armed Forces who’ve lost their lives in the line of duty.

“What others have given us endures through our acts of remembrance, such as the Memorial Cup,” says The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, the Minister of Public Service and Procurement who is responsible for Canada Post. “Over the decades, competing for this Cup has shaped the characters and lives of thousands of young men.”

The Cup is awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) champion, following a four-team, round-robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL’s member leagues: the Western Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League.

“The CHL is very proud to be celebrating this special year in Regina,” says CHL President David Branch. “We thank Canada Post for commemorating this event and over the next 10 days, we’ll see some of the best junior players in the world compete for the ultimate prize in junior hockey.”

Illustrated by Louis Hébert and designed by Paprika of Montréal, the stamp evokes the Canadian flag. It features two players from the Regina Pats, which in 1919 competed in the first Memorial Cup against the University of Toronto Schools of the Ontario Hockey Association. The Pats are this year’s host team.

“The Regina Pats have a very long history in our community and in Canada’s hockey community,” said Regina Mayor Michael Fougere. “This design acknowledges that the Pats legacy is intertwined with the Memorial Cup’s, and I have no doubt our residents will be very proud of this representation.”

The stamp comes in pennant-shaped booklets of 10 and shows a Pats player from yesteryear facing off against a modern-day player, with an illustration of the Memorial Cup between them. As a tribute to the trophy’s origins, the Official First Day Cover includes a photo of two Canadian Armed Forces members accompanying the Cup. The OFDC is cancelled in Regina.

On May 27, 2018, the Memorial Cup will be presented for the 100th time at the Brandt Centre in Regina, where tonight the host Regina Pats play the champion Hamilton Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League in the first game of this year’s national tournament.

The stamps and all related products are available at retail outlets and online at canadapost.ca/memorialcup.

[Communiqué]
Un timbre en l’honneur de la 100e Coupe Memorial
Un trophée à l’image du sens de la communauté, de la famille, de l’honneur et du respect des Canadiens

REGINA – Quelques heures avant la mise au jeu de la rondelle marquant le début du championnat de la Coupe Memorial Mastercard de 2018, Postes Canada a dévoilé son plus récent timbre à l’hôtel de ville de Regina, en Saskatchewan, en l’honneur de la riche histoire de l’un des trophées sportifs les plus prisés.

« Le timbre consacré au centenaire de la Coupe Memorial est le symbole de la suprématie du hockey junior en Amérique du Nord, du lien qui unit ce sport aux collectivités et du respect des traditions canadiennes », dit Jessica McDonald, présidente du Conseil d’administration et présidente-directrice générale par intérim à Postes Canada. « La Coupe fait partie de l’essence même de notre grande nation. »

Offerte en souvenir des soldats canadiens qui sont tombés au combat pendant la Première Guerre mondiale, la Coupe est dédiée depuis 2010 à la mémoire de tous les membres des Forces armées canadiennes qui ont donné leur vie pour servir leur pays.

« Leur ultime sacrifice subsiste grâce à nos actes commémoratifs, comme la Coupe Memorial », dit l’honorable Carla Qualtrough, ministre des Services publics et de l’Approvisionnement, et ministre responsable de Postes Canada. « Depuis des décennies, la Coupe contribue à forger le caractère et à façonner la vie des milliers de jeunes hommes qui se la disputent. »

La Coupe est présentée tous les ans aux champions de la Ligue canadienne de hockey (LCH), après un tournoi à la ronde de quatre équipes entre une équipe locale et les champions des ligues membres de la LCH : la Western Hockey League, la Ligue de hockey junior majeur du Québec et la Ligue de hockey de l’Ontario.

« La LCH est très fière de célébrer cette année spéciale à Regina, dit le président de la LCH, David Branch. Nous remercions Postes Canada qui a souligné l’événement. Au cours des dix prochains jours, nous allons voir quelques-uns des meilleurs joueurs junior du monde se disputer le prix le plus convoité au hockey junior. »

Illustré par Louis Hébert et conçu par l’agence Paprika de Montréal, le timbre rappelle le drapeau canadien. Il représente deux joueurs des Regina Pats, qui en 1919 se sont disputé la première Coupe Memorial contre la University of Toronto Schools de l’Association du hockey de l’Ontario. L’équipe hôte de cette année sera les Pats.

« L’histoire des Regina Pats remonte à loin, tant au sein de notre communauté qu’au sein de la collectivité du hockey au Canada, dit le maire de Regina, Michael Fougere. Ce design reconnaît le lien étroit qui existe entre l’héritage des Pats et la Coupe Memorial, et je suis sûr que nos résidants seront très fiers de cette image. »

Le timbre, qui est offert en carnets de dix en forme de fanion, montre un joueur des Pats d’antan qui affronte un joueur de l’ère moderne, avec une illustration de la Coupe Memorial entre les deux. En hommage aux origines du trophée, le pli Premier Jour officiel présente une photo de deux membres des Forces armées canadiennes avec le trophée. Son oblitération porte la mention « REGINA ».

Le 27 mai 2018, la Coupe Memorial sera présentée pour la 100e fois au Centre Brandt à Regina. Ce soir, l’équipe locale des Regina Pats jouera contre les Hamilton Bulldogs, champions de la Ligue de hockey de l’Ontario, lors du premier match du tournoi national de cette année.

Les timbres et produits dérivés sont en vente dans les bureaux de poste et en ligne sur postescanada.ca/coupememorial.

Issue date May 1, 2018:

From Canada Post’s Details magazine:

When bees begin to appear, it is a sure sign that summer is on the way – and designer Andrew Perro and illustrator Dave Murray have come up with a honey of an issue to help celebrate.

Experts believe there are approximately 4,000 species of bees native to North America. Two of the more than 850 species native to Canada can be found on our latest stamp issue.

The rusty-patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis), once common in parts of Ontario and Quebec, was the first bee species to be listed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). The metallic green bee (Agapostemon virescens), one of many sweat bee species, digs its nest in the ground and can be found throughout southern Ontario. The Official First Day Cover features another Canadian native – a small eastern resin bee (Anthidiellum notatum), which constructs a unique nest from resin and gravel.

This issue’s distinctive design is bound to create some buzz. Don’t get stung – get yours now!

Updated May 1:

[press release]
Bold and beautiful, bee stamps pay tribute to native pollinators

GRAND BEND, ON, May 1, 2018 /CNW/ – With spring flowers in bloom and summer coming soon, Canada Post unveiled a pair of stamps that are sure to create a buzz – as much for their unique design as for the subject they celebrate.

Two native bees appear in the new issue, including the extremely rare rusty-patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) and its colourful and more common co-star, a metallic green bee (Agapostemon virescens). Both are featured on the Official First Day Cover, which is cancelled in Grand Bend, Ontario, near Pinery Provincial Park – the last known location of a rusty-patched bumble bee in Canada.

Once common in parts of southern Ontario and Quebec, the rusty-patched bumble bee was the first bee species to be assessed as Endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. In contrast, the metallic green bee – often spotted carrying loads of pollen on its back legs – is still found throughout southern Canada.

There are approximately 4,000 species of bees native to North America and more than 850 native to Canada. Many bee populations, however, are in decline due to habitat loss, pesticide use and climate change. Canadians can do their part to help nurture their numbers by planting native flowers, allowing more of their property to grow wild, and avoiding the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

The stamps were designed by Andrew Perro of Toronto and illustrated by Dave Murray, a Toronto artist known for his cubist takes on portraits and pop culture, based on detailed information and images from some of Canada’s foremost bee experts.

Issue date: April 20, 2018

From Canada Post’s Details magazine:

June 2 of this year marks the 65th anniversary of the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – the longest reigning monarch in British history. Many “more mature” Canadians will recognize the Karsh photo on the cover of the stamp booklet from a series of five coronation stamps issued in the spring of 1953.

The portrait on this new stamp is from a famous sitting in July 1951, when the Queen was still known as Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth. Over a period of more than 40 years, Karsh photographed Her Majesty on five occasions, two of them before she became Queen.

One of the world’s most photographed women, Queen Elizabeth has had her likeness captured by some of the world’s most famous portrait photographers, including Dorothy Wilding, Lord Snowdon, Cecil Beaton and Annie Leibovitz. It is this image by Armenian-Canadian Yousuf Karsh, however, that is best known to generations of Canadians.

Canada Post also says this issue features something new: “This double-sided uncut press sheet, our first to feature stamp booklets, showcases the front, back and inside panels of 12 self-adhesive stamp booklets celebrating the 65th anniversary of the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.” Item #414083149 is $102. Only 1,000 available.

[press release April 20th]
New stamp celebrates 65-year reign of Queen Elizabeth II, longest-reigning sovereign in Canada’s modern era

OTTAWA, April 20, 2018 /CNW/ – Canada Post’s latest stamp features a portrait of then-Princess Elizabeth months before her accession to the throne. The image is part of a series of famous pictures taken by renowned Canadian photographer Yousuf Karsh in 1951.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, along with Jessica L. McDonald, Chair of the Board of Directors and Interim President and CEO of Canada Post, unveiled the stamp during a ceremony at Rideau Hall.

At 25, Elizabeth became Queen when her father, King George VI, died in the winter of 1952. Her coronation was delayed to allow for an appropriate mourning period. The coronation took place in Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953. Three million people lined the streets of London along the procession route. Canadians celebrated with fireworks, parades and horse races; and the Governor General issued a silver spoon to each Canadian child born on coronation day.

An estimated 227 million people around the world watched the coronation, which was the first to be televised. Other firsts followed:

• Queen Elizabeth was the first monarch to be crowned Queen of Canada.
• She was the first British monarch to visit Australia and New Zealand.
• On her first Royal Tour of Canada in 1957, she became the first sovereign to open Parliament by reading the Speech from the Throne.
• The Queen has made 22 Royal Tours of Canada – more than any other nation in the Commonwealth.
• In 2007, she became the longest-living British monarch and in 2015 she became Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.

Added July 3rd, from Canada Post:
The Official First Day Cover featuring the stamp for the 65th anniversary of the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II contains a typo in the French text on the reverse. It reads that 2017 marks the anniversary of the coronation; the correct year is 2018. Canada Post apologizes for the error.

From Details magazine:

CNIB, 100th ANNIVERSARY Commemorative envelope
Issue date: March 21, 2018

It has been a century of change for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind in helping Canadians who are blind or partially sighted live full, independent lives. This commemorative envelope celebrates that achievement with photos from the organization’s past and present, including a short braille message embossed on the front of the envelope to mark the CNIB’s foundation in 1918.

The Scott catalogue numbers are 3092 for the souvenir sheet and individual stamps are

• 3093 Kunz
• 3094 Drawson
• 3095 Hill
• 3096 Davies
• 3097 DuBois

Numbers subject to change.

From Details magazine:

GREAT CANADIAN ILLUSTRATORS
Issue date: April 5, 2018

Highlighting the work of five talented Canadians whose work can be found on book covers, posters, magazine, newspapers and even stamps, this issue features five of Canada’s most successful and prolific illustrators.

A proud native of Belleville, Ontario, Will Davies (1924-2016) is a legend of Canadian commercial art, with fashion layouts, story illustrations and advertising campaigns for clients as Simpson’s, Chatelaine, Reader’s Digest, Homemakers, Star Weekly, Woman’s Weekly (U.K.), and many other publications – as well as nine Canadian stamps. His stamp features one of his untitled Harlequin book covers.

Blair Drawson (Stage Fright, circa 1990) has worked as an editorial illustrator for many of North America’s most notable magazines – among them, Time, The New Yorker, Esquire, Rolling Stone and The New York Times Magazine .

France-born Gérard DuBois (It’s Not a Stream of Consciousness, 2015) chose Montréal as a place to launch his freelance career. His work has appeared in many major magazines in North America and Europe – and the 2015 Canadian Christmas stamp trio.

James Hill (1930-2004) of Hamilton had a major influence on his field. The image on this stamp is from a 1966 Redbook feature on hair fashion. Named Artist of the Year by the Guild of American Artists in 1966, he earned two gold medals from the New York-based Society of Illustrators.

Anita Kunz is one of the most iconic illustrators of our time. Her work has been published and exhibited internationally and she regularly provides cover art for The New Yorker and other influential publications. She has also illustrated more than 50 book covers. Best Friends (circa 2012) is from a series of personal work.

“The strength of the Canadian illustrators issue lies in the narrative quality of the imagery, the mastery of colour and composition, and the sense of imagination, humour, style and emotion.”
— Lara Minja, stamp designer

Updated April 6th:

[press release]
Eye-catching new stamps showcase work of five great Canadian illustrators
Issue pays homage to outstanding artists of past half century

TORONTO, April 5, 2018 /CNW/ – Canada Post pays tribute to five talented Canadians whose illustrations have appeared in books, magazines, advertisements, and galleries – and on postage stamps – over the past 50 years in this special issue featuring some of their favourite works.

Canada’s rich history in the field of commercial art and illustration is celebrated through the diversity of techniques, topics, and treatments showcased in this colourful set, which honours Will Davies, Blair Drawson, Gérard DuBois, James Hilland Anita Kunz.

Will Davies (1924-2016) was a legend in the world of Canadian commercial art. His work combined a passion for beauty and the human form with uncanny technical skill. His ability and love of his craft are captured in this glamorous lifestyle portrait from one of the many romance novels he illustrated.

Blair Drawson was an illustrator for many of North America’s most notable magazines before he decided to focus on writing and illustrating books – including nearly a dozen of his own – as well as painting and teaching courses in his craft.

Gérard DuBois has not looked back since relocating from France to Montréal to become a freelance illustrator. His expanding body of work ranges from book and magazine illustrations to commercial projects and exhibitions of his paintings.

James Hill (1930-2004) was one of the most sought-after illustrators in North America from the 1950s to 1970s. A prolific artist who appeared in major publications, galleries, and ad campaigns, he focused the last 25 years of his life on fine arts, wilderness landscapes and portraits.

Anita Kunz is one of the most iconic illustrators of our time, known for her bold and irreverent illustrations and provocative portraits of famous figures. Internationally acclaimed, she is a popular speaker and has been published and exhibited in many countries.

The stamps, launched today at OCAD University – where several of these illustrators trained or taught – complements past issues that feature the work of great Canadian photographers and painters. They are available for purchase on canadapost.ca and at postal outlets across Canada.

The Scott catalogue numbers are Sc. 3087 for the souvenir sheet; 3087a, 3088 and 3090 for pink petals; and 3087b, 3089 and 3091 for yellow petals. 3088 and 3089 are the coil stamps, 3090 and 3091 are the booklet stamps.

from Details magazine:

LOTUS
Issue date: March 1, 2018

Dregs of winter laying your spirits low? Would the thought of colourful lotuses gently bobbing on warm breezes over the water’s surface help? Our annual flower stamp issue depicts two lotus species: the sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) and the American lotus (Nelumbo lutea).

The pink and white sacred lotus is the national flower of India, and ha s religious significance for Buddhists and Hindus. It is cultivated in North America and can become wild. Our only indigenous lotus, the rare and threatened yellow American lotus grows along the warm sunny shores of lakes Erie and St. Clair in southern Ontario. Stamp designers Gary Beelik and Kristine Do of Parcel used watercolour portraits by Eunike Nugroho to depict different bloom phases in a set of connected (se-tenant) stamps. The blue background evokes a watery habitat, while a spot gloss varnish reveals a Chinese Bulbul bird, a koi fish and a dragonfly – creatures that share surroundings with lotuses.

[press release]
Canada Post heralds spring with Lotus issue
Annual flower issue a perennial favourite with gardeners and soon-to-be-weds

OTTAWA, March 1, 2018 /CNW/ – Canada Post will once again bring some colour and freshness into the lives (and mail) of winter-weary Canadians with its annual flower stamp issue. This year, the focus is on aquatic blooms, with the domestic-rate PermanentTM stamps featuring two varieties of lotus:

• The only lotus indigenous to this continent, the American lotus (Nelumbo lutea) has a creamy yellow flower and needs warmth and sunshine. The rare and threatened species grows at its northern limit along the shores of lakes Erie and St. Clair in southern Ontario. It is also found in wetlands in most of the eastern United States and as far south as Honduras.
• The sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera), bearing delicate pink and white petals, is the national flower of India and has deep religious significance for Buddhists and Hindus. Native to the tropical and warm-temperate regions of Asia and Australia, the sacred lotus is cultivated in North America and can become wild.

Because this issue is so popular for wedding invitations and stationery, the stamps are available in booklets of 10, with five of each design, or coils of 50 offering 25 of each design. A two-stamp souvenir sheet is available for collectors, along with strips of four and 10 stamps from the coil. An Official First Day Cover featuring both stamps is cancelled in Waterdown, Ontario. The stamps were designed by Parcel Design of Toronto based on watercolours by Eunike Nugroho and printed by the Lowe-Martin Group.

[press release]
THE WAR AMPS LAUNCHES 100TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS WITH UNVEILING OF CANADA POST COMMEMORATIVE ENVELOPE

OTTAWA, ON – February 8, 2018 – The War Amps officially launched its 100th anniversary year today with the unveiling of a Canada Post commemorative envelope, at the Association’s National Headquarters in Ottawa.

Amputee veterans returning from the First World War started The War Amps in 1918 to assist each other in adapting to their new reality as amputees. They then welcomed amputee veterans following the Second World War and established the Key Tag Service to gain meaningful employment and provide a service to the public. The War Amps many programs have grown over the past 100 years from assisting war amputees – whom they still serve – to all amputees, including children.

“Our work now encompasses a diversity of issues, from financial assistance for artificial limbs, to providing a voice for amputees’ rights, to spreading our PLAYSAFE message to children and much more. As we move into our second century, just as The War Amps has fought the battle for veterans since 1918, we still have a modern-day battle to fight to ensure that the needs of all amputees are met,” said Brian Forbes, Chairman of the Executive Committee of The War Amps.

Shown above: Second World War amputee veteran Charles Jefferson and members of The War Amps Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program, Olivia Miller and Dante Fotia, unveil the commemorative envelope.

The envelope reflects The War Amps long history and innovative programs through photos and text. Jim Phillips, Director of Stamp Services at Canada Post said, “The War Amps is an important part of Canada and has made a tremendous impact on the lives of amputees in this country. We are delighted to issue a commemorative envelope that celebrates its rich history and the vital work it does.”

The War Amps work for Canada’s amputees over the past 100 years would not have been possible without the public, said Forbes. “The War Amps receives no government grants and our programs are possible through donations to the Key Tag and Address Label Service. Thanks to the continued support of Canadians, our commitment remains to improve the lives of amputees long into the future.”

Envelopes can be purchased by visiting Canada Post’s website [direct link to the envelope]. Please visit waramps.ca for more information about The War Amps 100th anniversary.

From Details magazine:

Issued on the first day of Black History Month [February], these stamps recognize the contributions of two prominent, ground-breaking Canadians.

Kathleen (Kay) Livingstone (1918-75)
A long-time Toronto resident, Kathleen Livingstone was an activist, humanitarian and popular radio host devoted to the empowerment of Black women. She founded the Canadian Negro Women’s Association in the 1950s and, in 1975, launched the Congress of Black Women of Canada – now a nationwide organization. In 2011, she was named a Person of National Historic Significance by the Government of Canada.

“We are thrilled that people will learn not only about her efforts but also about the kind of person she was: a mother who served her family and a humanitarian who served her people, her city and her country,” says her daughter, Rene Livingstone. “She did it generously and she did it well.”

Lincoln M. Alexander (1922-2012)
Toronto-born Lincoln MacCauley Alexander had a distinguished career as a public servant and became a leader in the fight for racial equality. He was the first Black Canadian to be elected to the House of Commons (1968), appointed to the federal Cabinet (1979) and named to a viceregal position in Canada, as Lieutenant Governor of Ontario (1985). He encouraged countless young people to pursue their dreams – often telling them, “I did it. You can. You will.”

Both stamps, designed by Winnipeg-based Tétro, evoke the personal strength of these great Canadians through historic photographs. “The images selected capture a moment that is both internally reflective and formidable,” says designer Paul Tétrault. “The gold metallic glow pays tribute to their visionary influence and trailblazing achievements.”

[press release]
2018 Black History Month stamps celebrate trailblazers Lincoln M. Alexander and Kathleen (Kay) Livingstone
Two prominent Black Canadians devoted their lives to promoting equality and opportunity for everyone

OTTAWA, Jan. 26, 2018 /CNW/ – Canada Post is marking upcoming Black History Month with stamps for 2018 celebrating Lincoln M. Alexander and Kathleen (Kay) Livingstone, two prominent Black Canadians who shattered barriers for visible minorities in Canada. The stamps will be available for purchase at postal outlets and canadapost.ca/blackhistory beginning February 1, the start of Black History Month in Canada.

“Lincoln Alexander and Kay Livingstone opened countless doors for Black Canadians and other minorities across the country. They are remarkable role models who fostered Canadian values of diversity, respect and inclusion,” says Canada Post President and CEO Deepak Chopra.

Lincoln Alexander
Born in Toronto, Alexander (1922-2012) was a distinguished public servant who championed racial equality, justice and education in Canada for decades. He was the first Black Canadian to be elected to the House of Commons (1968), appointed to the federal cabinet (1979) and named to a viceregal position in Canada, as Lieutenant Governor of Ontario (1985). He encouraged countless youth to pursue their dreams, often telling them: “I did it. You can. You will.” In recognition of his extraordinary accomplishments, January 21 has been celebrated as Lincoln Alexander Day across Canada since 2015.

Kathleen (Kay) Livingstone
Raised in London, Ont., Livingstone (1918-75) lived most of her adult life in Toronto, where she was a popular radio host and became one of Canada’s most prominent visionaries, activists and humanitarians. She devoted her life to empowering Black women and is credited with coining the term “visible minority.” In the 1950s, she founded the Canadian Negro Women’s Association. In 1973, she organized the first National Congress of Black Women, and in 1975 launched the Congress of Black Women of Canada, a now nationwide organization dedicated to the welfare of Black women and their families. In 2011, she was named a Person of National Historic Significance by the Government of Canada.

[press release]
Canada Post celebrates Canadian Women in Winter Sports
Six barrier-breaking role models honoured in special five-stamp issue

CALGARY – Weeks before the cauldrons are lit for the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in South Korea, Canada Post lifted the veil on stamps that honour some of the most accomplished athletes Canada has known.

The Women in Winter Sports stamp issue commemorates six remarkable athletes in five beautiful stamps: Sharon and Shirley Firth (cross-country skiing); Sonja Gaudet (wheelchair curling); Danielle Goyette (hockey); Nancy Greene (alpine skiing); and Clara Hughes (cycling and speed skating).

“Sport is a vital element of our cultural fabric. It has the power to build bridges between people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities,” says the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement. “The women of these stamps have contributed to Canada beyond the medals they’ve won or the records they’ve broken. As a group, they have been champions of accessibility, community-builders and thought leaders.”

“The women who share the podium in these stamps broke barriers, inspired generations and have contributed to our country’s national story both on and off of the ice and snow,” says Deepak Chopra, President and CEO of Canada Post. “They have been ambassadors for their sports, impressive role models and a great source of national pride.”

The stars were honoured today at Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in Canada Olympic Park, a hub of winter sport. Shirley Firth, who passed away in 2013 at age 59, was represented by her husband, Jan Larsson, and daughters Marie and Nina Larsson.

Designed by Roy White, Matthew Clark and Jacquie Shaw of Subplot Design Inc. of Vancouver, B.C., the stamps marry candid photos with action shots of the athletes. The stamps and all related products are available at retail outlets and online at canadapost.ca.

Sharon and Shirley Firth transformed Inuvik into a hotbed of Nordic skiing. They competed in four Olympic Games and four World Ski Championships and dominated their sport from the late 1960s to the mid-1980s, winning 79 medals at the national championships, including 48 national titles.

Sonja Gaudet is the world’s most decorated wheelchair curler, with three Paralympic gold medals and three World Wheelchair Curling Championships. A tireless advocate for accessibility, she is an ambassador with the Rick Hansen Foundation and the Paralympic Committee.

Danielle Goyette scored more than 100 career goals and dominated women’s hockey into her 40s. She won two Olympic gold medals and a silver, as well as eight gold medals at the International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championships. She was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017.

Nancy Greene put Canada on the map in alpine skiing. She competed at Squaw Valley in 1960, Innsbruck in 1964 and Grenoble in 1968, winning gold and silver medals. Canada’s Female Athlete of the 20th Century, Greene won 17 Canadian titles, 13 World Cup victories and three U.S. Ski Championships.

Clara Hughes is the only athlete in history to win multiple medals at both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. She made six Olympic appearances, winning six medals: one gold, one silver and four bronze – in cycling and speed skating.

from Canada Post’s Details magazine; these stamps will be issued January 15th:

From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand
      on guard for thee.

Excerpt from Canada’s national anthem (music by Calixa Lavallé, English lyrics by Robert Stanley Weir, based on the French lyrics by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier)

There are so many beautiful places to see across Canada, it’s a constant temptation to pack your bags, hit the road and explore this fabulous country from one end to the other. If that’s not practical, our new definitive stamp series — From Far and Wide — promises to satisfy even the most restless of armchair travelers and inspire all of us to see more of this land first-hand.

Definitive stamps are typically smaller than commemoratives, so they can pose a special challenge for designers: after all, it’s not easy to depict a magnificent landscape on a canvas that is only 24 mm by 20 mm in size. But for Montréal designer Stéphane Huot, the solution was simple: “Since the stamps in this series are so tiny, our objective was to keep the design as simple as possible — so as not to detract from the visual impact of these incredible photographs.”

The nine-stamp issue includes five Permanent domestic stamps, along with one design for each U.S., oversized and international denominations. The ninth stamp in the set is our single-purchase $1 domestic rate. The first in a multi-year series, these stunning stamps will take you on a journey to some of the most breathtaking locations in Canada:

St. John’s (N.L.), Permanent
The brightly painted jelly bean houses of St. John’s are a popular tourist attraction. Many of the homes, which stand on the hill overlooking the harbour, were built following the Great Fire of 1892. The charming rainbow colours are the result of a city revitalization initiative that began in the 1970s.

Hopewell Rocks (N.B.), Permanent
It has taken millions of years for the wind and tides to carve the massive flowerpot structures that make up the Bay of Fundy’s Hopewell Rocks.

MacMillan Provincial Park (B.C.), Permanent
An old-growth forest of Douglas fir has been preserved in British Columbia’s MacMillan Provincial Park on Vancouver Island. At Cathedral Grove ( featured on the stamp), visitors can walk on trails beneath the towering trees, some of which are more than 800 years old.

Prince Edward Island National Park (P.E.I.), Permanent
Encompassing more than 65 kilometres of the island’s north shore, Prince Edward Island National Park offers a bounty of beaches, red sandstone cliffs wind-sculpted sand dunes and sites such as the heritage lighthouse at Covehead Harbour and one of the country’s most popular heritage places, the 19th-century farmhouse made famous by Lucy Maud Montgomery in her 1908 novel Anne of Green Gables.

Parc national de l’île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé (Que.), Permanent
The abundance of natural, historic and cultural heritage found at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula in the Parc national de l’île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher- Percé has delighted visitors from across the country and around the world.

Pisew Falls Provincial Park (Man.), single-stamp domestic rate
Manitoba’s Pisew Falls Provincial Park is situated in a remote wilderness area roughly 700 kilometres north of Winnipeg. With a 13-metre vertical drop, the falls that lend their name to the park are the second highest in Manitoba. Pisew comes from the Cree word for lynx since the hissing waters bring to mind the sound of this northern wild cat.

Point Pelee National Park (Ont.), U.S. rate
Celebrating its centennial anniversary in 2018, Point Pelee National Park is found at the southernmost point of the Canadian mainland (50 kilometres southeast of Windsor, Ontario). Point Pelee provides habitat for many species of bird, turtle and dragonfly. The park is an important migration point for monarch butterflies heading south.

Nááts’įhch’oh National Park Reserve (N.W.T.), oversized rate
Located in the traditional lands of the Sh•htaot’ine (Mountain Dene) in the south-west of the N.W.T., close to the Yukon border, Nááts’įhch’oh National Park Reserve is one of Canada’s newest national parks. It is named after the Nááts’įhch’oh mountain, historically a powerful place for the people of the Sahtu.

Arctic Bay (Nunavut), international rate
A traditional community located in the northwest corner of Baffin Island, Arctic Bay has been inhabited by nomadic Arctic peoples for 5,000 years and currently boasts a population of more than 850. Its Inuktitut name, Ikpiarjuk (ᐃᒃᐱᐊᕐᔪᒃ), means “the pocket,” which describes the way the community is surrounded by hills on three sides.

[press release]
From Far and Wide: New nine-stamp issue showcases Canada’s visual splendor
Picturesque stamps capture the beauty of some of our country’s most scenic and unique locations

OTTAWA – Canada Post has issued the first nine stamps in a multi-year series that captures stunning landscapes across the country through a traveller’s view of must-see destinations.

With a title inspired by a line in our national anthem, these beautiful stamps are now available to whisk Canadians away on a vivid visual journey to some of the most incredible places this country has to offer. Known by collectors as “definitives,” these are the smaller, workhorse stamps used most often for everyday mailings – and therefore the postage most Canadians see on much of their mail.

Nine stamps form a breathtaking cross-country journey
The nine-stamp issue includes five Permanent™ stamps plus one each in the US-rate, Oversized-rate and International-rate denominations, and the single-purchase $1 domestic rate. The locations featured on the 2018 edition of the new series are:

• The “jellybean houses” of St. John’s (N.L.)
• Hopewell Rocks (N.B.)
• Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park (B.C.)
• Covehead Harbour in Prince Edward Island National Park (P.E.I.)
• Percé Rock in Parc national de l’Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé (Que.)
• Pisew Falls Provincial Park (Man.)
• Point Pelee National Park (Ont.)
• Nááts’įhch’oh National Park Reserve (Nt.)
• Arctic Bay (Nvt.)

The Permanent™ domestic booklets are available in 10- and 30-stamp booklets (two or six of each image respectively), while the US-rate, Oversized-rate and International-rate denominations are available in booklets of six. The issue also includes a souvenir sheet and a variety of stamp formats for collectors, as well as an Official First Day Cover, cancelled in Leamington, ON, to mark the 100th anniversary of nearby Point Pelee National Park, featured on the $1.20 US-rate stamp. The issue was designed by Stéphane Huot of Montréal and printed by the Lowe-Martin Group.