Sharing Canada’s stories through stamps
Armistice 1918-2018
We honoured Canada’s brave soldiers and their sacrifices that secured peace and freedom, with a stamp commemorating the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the First World War. Canadian soldiers helped turn the tide of the war and were instrumental in the Allies’ victory. Of the more than 650,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders who served in the First World War, more than 66,000 were killed and 172,000 wounded. The stamp was unveiled in front of more than 100 veterans and dignitaries at the Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre in Ottawa.
Women in Winter Sports
Canada is a proud and mighty winter sports nation. In the year of the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in South Korea, Canada Post honoured six former Olympic and Paralympic athletes in five beautiful stamps: Sharon and Shirley Firth (cross-country skiing); Sonja Gaudet (wheelchair curling); Danielle Goyette (hockey); Nancy Greene (alpine skiing); and Clara Hughes (speed skating). These Canadian titans of winter sport have been role models, ambassadors for their respective sports and an immense source of national pride. The stamps were unveiled in Calgary during a special ceremony at Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in Canada Olympic Park, a hub of winter sport.
Danielle Goyette (hockey); Nancy Greene (alpine skiing); Sonja Gaudet (wheelchair curling); Clara Hughes (speed skating); and Sharon Firth (crosscountry skiing) at the stamp unveiling in Calgary honouring the former Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
Emergency Responders
Canada Post unveiled five stamps over five days at events across Canada that paid tribute to the country’s emergency responders – paramedics, the Canadian Armed Forces, search and rescue experts, firefighters and police officers. The stamps, which depict Canada’s finest in action, celebrate the tens of thousands of emergency responders and the important work they do to protect Canadians, sometimes by risking their own lives.
The Paramedics stamp, which depicts two paramedics giving lifesaving treatment and an air ambulance, was revealed at the Ambulance New Brunswick headquarters in Fredericton.
The stamp to honour Regular and Reserve members of the Canadian Armed Forces was unveiled at CFB Valcartier. The stamp depicts CAF members – who are a last line of defence in natural disasters – responding to a major flood, which they have done several times in recent years.
We honoured the country’s search and rescue experts – career and volunteer, military and civilian – with a stamp depicting a team performing a helicopter extraction in the mountains. The unveiling was held in Banff, Alta., home to Parks Canada’s Mountain Safety Program.
The firefighters’ stamp – which depicts a determined firefighter up close as two firefighters battle an inferno in the background – was revealed in Halifax, home to the country’s oldest fire department.
The stamp honouring both civilian and sworn members of Canada’s police services depicts an officer in the foreground whose cap badge and insignia are generic to represent police across the country. The stamp was unveiled in Ottawa, home to the Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial.
Canadian Armed Forces personnel at CFB Valcartier unveil a stamp saluting CAF members.
Search and rescue experts unveil an Emergency Responders stamp in Banff, Alta.
Memorial Cup
Hockey is woven into Canada’s national fabric and connects communities in every corner of the country. Canada Post paid tribute to one of hockey’s oldest and most cherished trophies with a stamp honouring the 100th presentation of the Memorial Cup.
The symbol of junior hockey supremacy in North America, the Memorial Cup was first presented in 1919 in remembrance of Canadians killed during the First World War. In 2010, the trophy was rededicated to honour all Canadian Armed Forces members who have given their lives in the line of duty. The Cup is awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) champion, following a four-team, round-robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL’s member leagues: the Western Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League.
The stamp design was inspired by the Canadian flag and symbolizes Canadians’ passion for the game. The stamp was unveiled at City Hall in Regina, Sask. – host city of the 2018 Mastercard Memorial Cup Championship tournament – just hours before the puck dropped to start the tournament.
Former NHL great Guy Lafleur (far left), and former Regina Pats teammates and NHL players Dennis Sobchuk and Ed Staniowski with the Memorial Cup trophy alongside Canada Post President and CEO Doug Ettinger.
Member of Parliament Ralph Goodale (far left), and former NHL players Dennis Sobchuk, Guy Lafleur and Ed Staniowski with the Memorial Cup commemorative stamp, alongside Canada Post President and CEO Doug Ettinger, Regina Mayor Michael Fougere and Canadian Hockey League President David Branch.
Top banner photos: Major Gerald Bowen (left) speaks to veterans and dignitaries in Ottawa after helping to unveil a stamp honouring the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the First World War, in which his father served. Canadian Olympic icon Clara Hughes (right) speaks at the Women in Winter Sports stamp launch event in Calgary.