Stamp dealers from across Canada are setting up today in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que., as collectors prepare for the opening of BNAPEX 2026, the annual convention of the British North America Philatelic Society (BNAPS).
The three-day convention opens Friday, Sept. 18 and continues through Sunday, Sept. 20 at Hôtel MOCO Valleyfield, 40 avenue du Centenaire, about 70 kilometres from Montreal. Dealer and exhibit setup is taking place today, with the exhibition and bourse opening to collectors Friday at 10 a.m.
List of Canadian dealers attending BNAPEX 2026.
About 20 stamp dealers from across Canada are expected to be on the bourse floor, bringing inventories of Canadian and worldwide stamps, covers, postal history and other philatelic material. The dealer bourse is one of the major attractions of the annual BNAPS convention, giving collectors an opportunity to buy material, meet dealers and discuss their collecting interests face to face.
Collectors will also be able to spend considerable time in the exhibition area. BNAPEX organizers have assembled a 160-frame exhibition devoted to British North America philately, providing an opportunity to see significant material covering Canadian stamps and postal history. BNAPS, founded in 1943, is devoted to the study and collecting of the stamps, postal markings and postal history of Canada and the pre-Confederation colonies of British North America.
The weekend program extends well beyond the bourse and exhibits, with study group meetings and seminars running throughout the convention. Friday sessions include meetings of the Perfin, Air Mail and Admiral study groups, while additional presentations and meetings continue Saturday and Sunday.
Several tours and social activities are also planned, including visits to historic sites in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, the Beauharnois hydroelectric generating station and an exhibition on the former Montreal Cotton Company factory. Friday evening features a billiards night with appetizers and tapas, while the BNAPS Past-Presidents’ Reception and Awards Banquet will be held Saturday evening.
The exhibition and dealer bourse are open 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Walk-in admission is $5 per day Friday and Saturday for adults 18 and older who are not registered for qualifying convention events. Admission is free Sunday.
BNAPEX moves to a different location each year and remains one of Canada’s major annual gatherings devoted specifically to Canadian and British North America philately. This year’s convention is hosted by the BNAPS Lower Canada/Bas Canada Regional Group and La Société d’histoire postale du Québec.