VANCOUVER, March 4, 2005 -- Canada was the first country to join Expo 2005, seizing the opportunity to export this country's image world-wide by putting on view its diversity, creativity and innovation. When Canada chose as its theme "Wisdom of Diversity," Canada Post decided it wanted a stamp to convey how the country's diversity is found everywhere - in its people, fauna, flora, geology, and climate. The stamp was unveiled at a special ceremony in Vancouver today and is now available in post offices across the country. Paul Haslip of HM&E Incorporated, in Toronto, took up the challenge of designing a stamp that could capture such a large and abstract theme as "Nature's Wisdom." Haslip created a stamp that portrays, visually and symbolically, how Canadians strive to achieve balance and harmony with nature. The stamp features an Inukshuk created from five stones, each different in size, shape and colour, that symbolizes man's non-destructive imprint on nature. These well-known traditional stone markings were used by Canada's Inuit for orientation and for marking bountiful hunting and fishing areas. The stones are set against a pixelized image of the northern lights, a uniquely Canadian symbol that has a magical quality of its own. The contrasting images symbolize the potential for the positive influence of technology on nature, with the digitized images of the northern lights ready to be transferred across the World Wide Web - and shared with the world. Mr. Haslip's previous stamp credits include the 1999 World Rowing Championships stamp, the 2001 Blue Jays stamp, and the 2004 Nobel Prize winners set. Canada's 2005 Pavilion expects to host 16,000 visitors per day, who will experience the wonders of Canada's Geo-Bio-Ethno diversity. Not only is the Canada Pavilion in Aichi an architectural and technological marvel, it is a synthesis of sight, sound and cyber connectivity - a doorway to Canada and a path to the future. From March 25 through September 25, 2005, nearly 15 million people from Japan and around the globe are expected to explore and experience Expo 2005. Available for sale at post offices across the country today, Canada's Wisdom of Diversity stamp measures 30 mm x 36 mm, and will be sold in a pane of 16 stamps. Canadian Bank Note printed 3 million of the stamps, using 9- colour lithography, and P.V.A. gum, on Tullis Russell Coatings paper. The stamp is general tagged on all four sides. The Official First Day Cover will read VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA. Additional information about Canadian stamps can be found in the Newsroom section of Canada Post's website, and a downloadable high-resolution photo of the Wisdom of Diversity stamp is in the Newsroom's Photo Centre. Stamps and Official First Day covers will be available at participating post offices, or can be ordered online by following the links at Canada Post's website www.canadapost.ca, or by mail order from the National Philatelic Centre. From Canada and the USA call toll-free: 1-800-565-4362 and from other countries call: (902) 863-6550. - 30 - For further information: Cindy Daoust Ottawa Tel.: (613) 734-4258
