Canadian exhibitors delivered a strong showing at the Dubai 2026 World Stamp Exhibition, earning multiple high-level awards and placing eighth overall by number of frames in competition.
With 47 frames entered, Canada’s six adult multi-frame exhibits produced impressive results, including two Large Gold medals, two Gold medals, two Large Vermeil medals and two special prizes.
Among the top-scoring Canadian exhibits was The Maple Leaf Issue of Canada 1897–1898 by David McLaughlin, which earned 96 points, a Large Gold medal and a special prize. Anestis Karagiannidis received a Large Gold medal with 95 points for Greece: The 1896 Olympic Issue, while Guillaume Vadeboncoeur earned 94 points, a Gold medal and a special prize for Canada – The Small Queens of 1870–1897.
Additional Gold-level results included Daniel Cantor, whose exhibit The Admiral Issues of Canada scored 91 points and a Gold medal. Sammy Chiu received Large Vermeil with 85 points for Hankow China 1891–1912, while George Constantourakis earned Large Vermeil with 88 points for Republic of Venice – Mail Routes from/to Levant and Europe, XV to XVIII Century.
Canada’s one-frame and youth exhibits also recorded solid performances. Sébastien Crête earned 91 points for his one-frame exhibit Uses and Rating of the 1c Queen Victoria Stamp in the Decimal Era (1859–1868). Alexandra Glashan received 85 points for 1904–1918 Saint Patrick’s Day Postcards Link Irish Immigrants, while John McEntyre scored 65 points with Liberia: 19th Century Postal Stationery.
In the youth category, Eliane Rose earned Large Silver with 78 points for her two-frame exhibit The Heart through 4 Universes in the 10–15 years age category.
“Our Canadian exhibitor team produced results we can all be very proud of,” said national commissioner David McLaughlin, who coordinated Canada’s participation. “With 47 frames in competition, Canada placed eighth overall, and the quality of the exhibits was consistently strong.”
Canada’s involvement at Dubai 2026 extended beyond exhibiting. Two long-time members of the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada played prominent roles as the exhibition marked the 100th anniversary of the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie.
Ed Kroft, a past president of the RPSC and an internationally respected judge, served as a vice-president of the exhibition jury and also took part as an FIP jury trainer at the Jury Academy held alongside the exhibition. With more than 40 jurors participating, Kroft’s role placed him in a senior leadership position helping guide jury standards and evaluations at the centenary event, which ran from Feb. 4 to Feb. 8, 2026, in Dubai.
McLaughlin served as Canada’s national commissioner, acting as the primary liaison for Canadian exhibitors while assisting with entries, logistics and compliance with exhibition regulations, and working closely with exhibition organizers and the FIP.
Dubai 2026 was the first FIP-patronage world stamp exhibition hosted in the United Arab Emirates and coincided with the 30th anniversary of the Emirates Philatelic Association, highlighting Canada’s continued presence and leadership on the international philatelic stage.