Lincoln Alexander; emergency responders; women in winter sports; Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation; Memorial Cup among topics to be covered next year
Canada Post has revealed its 2018 stamp program, which, according to the Crown corporation, “once again sets out to inform, enlighten and entertain Canadians with stamps that tell the stories of the people, places and events that make this country so amazing.”
The list of tentative releases includes 10 new series as well as seven ongoing series, including Canada Post’s annual Christmas stamps.
“Our stamps reflect the interesting, often beautiful, and sometimes heroic things that make us who we are as a nation,” said Deepak Chopra, president and CEO of Canada Post. “In this huge, culturally diverse country, there’s something in the program to interest everyone.”
NEW SERIES COMING IN 2018
The first new series, dubbed “From Far and Wide,” is slated to tour Canada’s most picturesque locations with nine stamps, including “Jellybean Row” in St. John’s, N.L.; Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park, B.C.; Arctic Bay, Nunavut; and Point Pelee National Park, Ont.
Five of Canada’s most accomplished female athletes will share the podium in another new series, “Women in Winter Sports.”
The work of five talented illustrators will be featured on a third set of new stamps, “Canadian Illustrators.”
Queen Elizabeth II, who will see the 65th anniversary of her coronation next year, will grace a new commemorative stamp.
Another new series, “Native Bees of Canada,” will include two stamps highlighting the flying insect.
The Canadian Hockey League’s Memorial Cup will also be commemorated with a stamp marking its 100th anniversary.
Among next year’s new series is one exploring astronomy on the occasion of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s 150th anniversary.
A five-stamp series “Sharks in Canadian Waters” will depict five denizens of the deep.
Everyday heroes from five life-saving lines of work will also be commemorated in a series entitled “Emergency Responders.”
A $3 “Bighorn Sheep” stamp is also scheduled for release next year.
ONGOING SERIES TO BE CONTINUED
Among the multi-year series that are slated to continue next year is Canada Post’s annual flower issue, which will feature two types of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera).
This February, the “Black History Month” series will celebrate two iconic Black Canadians—Lincoln Alexander, who was born in Toronto and became Canada’s first Black MP, a federal cabinet minister and 24th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, as well as activist and humanitarian Kay Livingstone, who was born in London, Ont. and coined the term “visible minority.” The stamps will be the 14th and 15th Black History Month stamps issued by Canada Post since 2009.
The 12-year “Lunar New Year” series will see its 10th issue with a celebration of the Year of the Dog.
A follow-up to the popular “Weather Wonders” series, the first stamps of which were issued in 2015, is also slated for 2018.
In what will be its the third and final release, the “Birds of Canada” series will return next year.
Another Canada Post Community Foundation semi-postal stamp will also be issued to help raise funds for youth in need.
Next year’s Christmas issues will feature original illustrations of the Nativity as well as “warm, woolly items that keep us cozy in winter.”
COMMEMORATIVE ENVELOPES
In addition, Canada Post will issue two commemorative envelopes next year to mark the 100th anniversaries of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and The War Amps.
Many stamp topics are the result of suggestions from the Canadian public or organizations that wish to honour a significant person, milestone or event. Canada Post welcomes suggestions for the 2019 program and beyond.
NEW PRESIDENT & CEO
Next year will also see the resignation of President and CEO Deepak Chopra.
This August, Chopra advised the board of directors of his intent to step down from his role on March 31, 2018. He joined the Corporation in 2011 as it was facing the challenge of responding to the dramatic decline in mail volumes with a legacy cost structure built for the pre-digital economy.
Chopra gave the board early notice to provide the time necessary to conduct a search for his replacement and ensure an orderly transition while maintaining momentum at the Crown corporation.