Canada Post's 2016 stamp program: exploring the Canadian cultural, historical, and natural landscape

OTTAWA, Nov. 18, 2015 /CNW/ - From historic achievements and milestone moments in Canada's political movement to wild creatures from the past and present, the subjects Canada Post has announced for its 2016 stamp program are unique threads in the nation's fabric. A couple of special releases are still under wraps and will be announced closer to their launch date.

Strong Women: A new definitive stamp honouring Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be issued, a fitting tribute to the longest reigning monarch in history. A special commemorative stamp will also mark the 100^th anniversary of women's suffrage in Canada and its role in the fight for equality.

Strong Men: This year's Black History Month stamp will pay homage to the brave men of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, which celebrates its centennial anniversary in 2016. Some tough and talented Canadian puck-handlers get the nod in the fourth set in a five-year series leading up to the 100^th anniversary of the National Hockey League.

Happy Holidays: The popular Lunar New Year stamp series continues with the eighth release in the 12-year series – this time, with the Monkey taking the reins from the Ram. The year closes out, as always, with the highly anticipated religious and secular Christmas stamps, the former featuring Master of the Castello Nativity's Virgin and Child and the latter, images from Rolf Harder Christmas cards.

Flora and Fauna: Canada's wildlife takes centre stage in two upcoming issues, as the showy hydrangea thrills fans of the Flower series and new talent shines with the launch of a series on Official Birds. This time around, the cast features the Atlantic puffin (NL), the rock ptarmigan (NT), the sharp-tailed grouse (SK), the common raven (YT) and the great horned owl (AB).   

Scary Stuff: The final offering in the Haunted Canada series comes to a (dead) end with frightful scenes from the North West Territories Nahanni region and Prince Edward Island's Holland Cove. Dino-philes will delight as the second wave of Dinos of Canada comes crashing in with Cypretherium coarctatum (SK), Acrotholous (AB), Atrociraptor marshalli (AB), Bathygnathus borealis (PEI) and the Comox Valley elasmosaur (BC).

Eye Candy: Spectacular images continue to grace the offerings in two ongoing stamp series. The fourth installation of Canadian Photography will take a loving look through the lenses of Michel Campeau, Lutz Dille, Angela Grauerholz, Byron Harmon, Alexander Henderson, Humphrey Lloyd Hime and Yousuf Karsh. Some of Canada's most treasured landscapes will appear in the latest issue on UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Old Town Lunenburg (NS), SGang Gwaay (BC), the Rideau Canal (ON), the Landscape of Grand Pré (NS) and Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump (AB).

A Stamp that Soars: The stylized bird featured on this year's annual Canada Post Community Foundation Stamp symbolizes hope for the youth who benefit from the programs supported, in part, by the proceeds earned from this semi-postal fundraising stamp.

"Our 2016 issues highlight historic moments, fantastic stories, and unique places," says Deepak Chopra, President and CEO of Canada Post. "They take us all around the country and invite us back in time. They help make our stories come alive and, in so doing, help to define what being Canadian is all about."

Canada Post's Stamp Advisory Committee recommends the themes and designs for the annual stamp program. The committee is composed of individuals from across Canada who have diverse skills and subject-matter expertise, represent both English- and French-speaking populations, and reflect the country's multicultural make-up. Canada Post's Board of Directors review the committee's recommendations to establish the final selections for each year.

SOURCE Canada Post

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