Maple leaf-shaped stamps will be a first for Canada Post
In celebration of Canada 150, the country’s sesquicentennial, Canada Post has enlisted the help of several distinguished Canadians to unveil 10 commemorative stamps honouring the country’s most iconic moments since its centennial in 1967.
In a video released this morning, Canada Post President and CEO Deepak Chopra was joined by Canada Post employees and Steven MacKinnon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement, to introduce the newly announced stamp program.
“At Canada Post we take great pride in telling Canada’s stories,” said Chopra. “Every year, we honour the accomplishments, the struggles an the people that define our history. We celebrate our heritage by painting small easels with the larger-than-life stories that make this country great. They’re called stamps, and each one tells an incredible story.”
The notable Canadians include a country music star, a world-renowned architect, successful business leaders, influential community activists, legendary athletes and an astronaut. Over the next five weeks, there will be nine separate unveilings, each at a location chosen to illustrate the story behind the achievement, event or milestone that the respective stamp commemorates.
This will also be the first time Canada Post issues stamps in the shape of a maple leaf.
“For the first time ever, each stamp will be the shape of the maple leaf,” said Chopra.
RELEASE DATES
A total of 10 stamps will be issued at nine unveilings between April 27 and June 1 as part of Canada Post’s Canada 150 program. The nine unveilings will take place on:
- April 27 in Montréal, Que.;
- May 3 in Ottawa, Ont.;
- May 4 online;
- May 9 in Toronto, Ont.;
- May 16 in Regina, Sask.;
- May 25 in St. John’s, Nfld.;
- May 30 in Iqaluit, Nunavut;
- May 31 in Winnipeg, Man.; and
- June 1 in Vancouver, B.C., where the program’s final two stamps will be unveiled.
With each stamp unveiling, videos with these notable Canadians, other key participants and archival footage will tell the story of that stamp subject on canadapost.ca/canada150. More details about the next unveiling will be given upon the release of each stamp.
ANOTHER TWO ‘MAJOR’ RELEASES THIS SPRING
In addition to these 10 stamps, Canada Post will also unveil two “major” releases this May; however, these stamps are not part of the Canada 150 program.
On May 15, a stamp will be released in Montréal, Que., and on May 23, there will be a simultaneous release at separate events in Montréal and Toronto.
On June 1, all 10 Permanent domestic-rate stamps will be available at post offices and online as well as via mail or phone order. Customers can also pre-order at canadapost.ca/canada150 or by phone.
As with all Canada Post stamps, the subjects were chosen by Canada Post’s 12-member Stamp Advisory Committee.