Captain Robert A. Bartlett

Roadside Attractions

Title: Roadside Attractions
Date of Issue: 6 July 2009
Country: Canada
Denominations: 54c

Nothing beats a Canadian road trip. From the rocky splendours of the west, through spectacular stretches of alpine meadows, towards the sweeping ocean vistas of the east—it seems that, no matter which way we steer the wheel, there’s something to see. But it’s not all natural scenery; the landscape abounds with quirky landmarks that capture the spirit of small-town Canada and never fail to get tourists talking. This July, Canada Post will issue the first set in a three-year stamp series showcasing Canada’s famous roadside attractions.

We kick off our cross-country journey in the wonderful west, home to vistas of snow-peaked mountain ranges, panoramic seascapes, and, of course, Mr. PG. At a staggering 8 metres tall, this giant “log” man is hard to miss. He’s been welcoming visitors to Prince George, BC, since 1960.

Next stop: Watson Lake, YK, where a special kind of forest—a signpost forest—is nestled within spectacular stretches of untamed wilderness. It all began in 1942, when a homesick U.S. Army G.I. working on the Alaska Highway put up a sign pointing the way and showing the mileage to his hometown. Others followed suit, and the Watson Lake Signpost Forest’s count today exceeds 64,000 signs.

So many signs—which way to go? We follow the eastbound arrow until, as luck would have it, we stumble upon Hay River, NWT’s Inukshuk. Built in 1978 as a symbol for the Arctic Winter Games, this stunning sculpture belongs to the age-old Inuit tradition of building stone giants to guide travelers through Canada’s vast landscape. Our guide points south, and on we go.

A long journey down the Yellowhead Highway leads us to Vegreville, AB, where a massive Easter egg—the largest in the world, in fact—is on display at the entrance to Elk Island National Park. Its name, Pysanka, is Ukrainian for “Easter egg,” and it symbolizes Vegreville’s vibrant folk culture.

This set of stamps is as fun and whimsical as the attractions they celebrate. Designer Fraser Ross of Halifax’s Semaphor Design Company notes, “They’re all iconic in their own way, so we wanted to give them each a monumental quality.” The stamps feature traditional oil paintings by Nova Scotia artist Bonnie Ross. The detail and dimension within them was captured by adding layer upon layer of graduated colour. Meanwhile, the lively colour scheme lends a cartoonish aspect to the scenes. Fraser adds, “This quality highlights the originality and quirkiness of these attractions; they’re so much fun and we wanted the stamps to speak to that.”

While getting acquainted with the roadside attractions, Ross came to see that their excitement extends well beyond their quirks. “They’re like historical landmarks in both a literal and figurative way,” he says. “They literally mark a location, but they also mark a time and place. On family vacations, we all stop; we stare; and we rarely leave without a picture. Over time, we may forget the details of a vacation, sometimes even the destinations themselves, but somehow the roadside attractions we meet along the way find a permanent place in our memories and photo albums.” This July, these lively landmarks can also find a permanent place in your stamp collection.

Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909

Title: Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909
Date of Issue: 12 June 2009
Country: Canada
Denominations: 54c

Canadian Diplomacy

For more than a century, diplomacy has shaped Canada’s relations with--and place in--the world. With representatives and interests that span the globe and an international reputation as a peacekeeper, the nation is a key player on the world’s diplomatic stage. This, however, was not always the case.

For many years, Canada had little control over its own external affairs. As a British colony, its politics and economy were controlled by Britain. Even with Confederation in 1867, Canada's foreign policy remained under British direction. The country's founders were convinced that, with its unsettled border and stretches of vast, empty spaces, Canada would not have the power to assert its independence on the world stage.

But as Canada grew and prospered, Canadians were ready for more independence than the country's founding fathers had envisioned. Proud of their achievements during the First World War and more conscious of their interests as a maturing country, they wanted to take charge of their own affairs. In 1931, the Statute of Westminster gave Canada the right to have an external policy separate from Britain's. And by the end of the Second World War, the nation had achieved considerable status as an economic and military power. An active and responsible internationalist, Canada emerged as an important member of such postwar multilateral organizations as the United Nations (UN), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Commonwealth, and la Francophonie. To celebrate Canada’s growing presence on the world stage, Canada Post will issue a domestic rate stamp on the 100th anniversary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT).

The commemorative stamp features a Canadian flag and an image of the globe, which intersect midway. "For this design, we wanted to capture the philosophy of the department that has driven Canada's growing role on the world’s diplomatic stage for the past century," explains David Craib, Creative Director at Ottawa’s Parable Communications. "We also wanted to express the way the department sees itself, in a modern and clean style."

To depict this, the Parable design team found inspiration in the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's remarkable story of transformation. Founded in 1909, and originally housed above an Ottawa barbershop, the Department has evolved into a modern, dynamic foreign and trade ministry. Craib explains, "Since the department has grown as Canada’s role on the world stage has expanded and strengthened, the intersection between these two symbols represents the fusion of global activities and sensitivities, with our national identity, culture and ingenuity."

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The Emblems

Of the two PERMANENT™ domestic rate stamps, one features the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games emblem, which is a contemporary interpretation of the inukshuk—a traditional Inuit sculpture that provides guidance to travellers. The other features the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games emblem, an image that embodies the harmony between athlete, the sport and the environment.

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Mental Health

Date of Issue: 6th October 2008
Denomination: 1 x PERMANENT^TM domestic stamp + 10¢ donation
Mental illness is rarely discussed, often misunderstood, and so commonly kept hidden that it's been called the "Invisible Disease." Its scope, scale and severity, however, are both far-reaching and deeply felt. In fact, one in five Canadians will suffer from a mental illness at some point in their lives, while many more will be touched by the illness of a loved one or friend. To help Canadian communities confront this problem openly, and with compassion and understanding, Canada Post has adopted Mental Health as its cause of choice and has established the Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health. The Foundation aims to raise funds to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness so that those affected feel more able to discuss their challenges and seek solutions.

Endangered Species

Date of Issue: 1st October 2008
Denominations: 52 c x 4
A swift seabird swoops and flits over coastal waters; a flash of yellow illuminates a muted swamp ground—just a hint of the dazzling diversity of creatures that flutter above us. But, due to human activities like development, deforestation and pollution, the homes of our wildlife are withering away at an alarming pace. According to the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), there are more than 500 plant and animal species currently at risk in Canada. If action is not taken to reverse this devastating trend, we may see the end of much of our country's distinct array of wildlife.

British Columbia's 150th Anniversary - Canada

Lifesaving Society: 1908-2008 - Canada

Beijing 2008 Olympic - Canada

Date of issue: 18 July 2008
Denomination: 52c

Canadian Nurses Association 1908-2008

2008 IIHF World Championship - Canada

Issue Date: 4/3/2008
Denomination:$0.52
Hockey comes to life on this dramatic domestic rate stamp celebrating the Men's World Hockey Championship and the 100th anniversary of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).

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University of Alberta - Canada

University of British Columbia - Canada

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Endangered Species--Canada