Canada Post has released a tentative schedule for its 2018 stamp program, which will begin on Jan. 15 with the release of two new issues.
Among the two Jan. 15 releases is a continuation of the ongoing Lunar New Year series, this for the Year of the Dog, which will be the 10th issue in the Crown corporation’s most recent 12-year series.
The design of the non-denominated Permanent stamp includes a Chinese paper lantern with the image of a dog overlaid in red. The words dog, chien and the Chinese characters for “gǒu” (or dog). The set will also include an international-rate stamp as well as a souvenir sheet.
A nine-stamp definitive set entitled ‘From Far and Wide’ will also be issued on Jan. 15.
‘FROM FAR & WIDE’
The other new issue slated for release on Jan. 15 is a nine-stamp set dubbed “From Far and Wide.”
“This definitive series offers a traveller’s view of many must-see places throughout Canada,” reads the souvenir sheet.
The five non-denominated Permanent stamps in the top row feature St. John’s, N.L.; Hopewell Rocks, N.B.; MacMillan Provincial Park, B.C.; Prince Edward Island National Park; Québec’s Parc national de l’Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé.
The remaining four stamps are denominated $1, $1.20, $1.80 and $2.50, respectively, and depict Pisew Falls Provincial Park, Man.; Point Pelee National Park, Ont.; Naats’ihch’oh National Park Reserve, N.W.T.; and Arctic Bay, Nunavut.
The set was designed by Stephane Huot and printed by Lowe-Martin.
OTHER STAMPS
Later in January, Canada Post’s Women in Winter Sports set will be issued.
This will be followed by a continuation of the “Black History Month” series, which will celebrate two iconic Black Canadians in February 2018. They include Lincoln Alexander, who 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 coined the term “visible minority.” The stamps will be the 14th and 15th Black History Month stamps issued by Canada Post since 2009.
In March, Canada Post will also continue its annual flower issue, which will feature two varieties of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera).
This will be followed by a new set of stamps known as “Canadian Illustrators,” which will honour the work of five talented illustrators.
In April, Queen Elizabeth II will grace a new commemorative stamp 65 years after her coronation.
May’s releases will include another new series, “Native Bees of Canada,” which will feature two stamps highlighting the flying insect, as well as a stamp marking the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Hockey League’s Memorial Cup.
Throughout the months of June, July and August, there will be sets issued in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Royal Astronomical Society; a five-stamp series highlighting “Sharks in Canadian Waters”; a follow-up to the popular “Weather Wonders” series, the first stamps of which were issued in 2015; the third and final release of the “Birds of Canada” series.
In September, five life-saving lines of work will also be honoured in a series entitled “Emergency Responders.”
Another Canada Post Community Foundation semi-postal stamp will also be issued in September to help raise funds for youth in need.
In October, a $3 “Bighorn Sheep” stamp is scheduled for release.
Finally, in November, Canada Post will issue its Christmas stamps, which will feature original illustrations of the Nativity as well as another design depicting “warm, woolly items that keep us cozy in winter.”
FEWER STAMPS
“We will have fewer stamps in 2018 than in 2017,” said Canada Post media relations manager Phil Legault, who added there will be 56 stamps issued in 2018 compared to 76 new issues in 2017.
“In future years, it will likely be closer to the 2018 levels, but it always depends on happenings, anniversaries or special events we might want to feature.”
Official news releases and further details will be released closer to the issue dates. For more information, visit canadapost.ca.