A stamp, unveiled by Canada Post in anticipation of the total solar eclipse on April 8, gained widespread attention for featuring three significant locations along the eclipse’s path, including New Brunswick’s renowned Hopewell Rocks. However, following an investigation by CBC News’ New Brunswick reporter Rhythm Rathi, Canada Post issued a correction within a week, acknowledging discrepancies in the stamp’s portrayal of the iconic geological site.
Initially, the stamp was described as capturing the sun at the moment of totality, illustrating its trajectory across Canada and incorporating landmarks such as Niagara Falls, Hopewell Rocks, and Spillars Cove in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Upon inquiry, a representative from Hopewell Rocks disclosed that the provincial park had not been consulted regarding the stamp’s depiction, and the rocks depicted on the stamp could not be identified.
When contacted by CBC, the stamp’s Toronto-based designer admitted to being unfamiliar with the New Brunswick landmark and declined further comment.
The inconsistency was further underscored in Canada Post’s original news release, which mistakenly placed Hopewell Rocks within the path of totality, where the sun is completely obscured by the moon’s shadow.
Randy Attwood, an expert consultant on the stamp, clarified that Hopewell Rocks are indeed situated outside the path of totality.
In an effort to clarify, a Canada Post representative maintained that the landform depicted on the stamp between Niagara Falls and Spillars Cove was intended to represent Hopewell Rocks. However, Canada Post later issued an update acknowledging the error and revised the reference to: “Across the bottom of the stamp is a photomontage of land formations along the path of the totality, including Niagara Falls and the rocky shores of Newfoundland’s east coast.”