Ottawa - On January 6, 2006, Canada Post will issue a stamp and a special souvenir sheet to commemorate the 2006 Lunar New Year (Year of the Dog). The stamps recognize the Asian contribution to the multicultural richness of Canadian life in anticipation of the Lunar New Year that begins on January 29, 2006. The single stamp will reflect the new domestic rate of 51 cents, while the stamp on the souvenir sheet will carry the new international rate of $1.49. The new postage rates take effect on January 17, 2006.
People born in the year of the dog (1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, or 1994) are take-charge individuals and, sadly, perceived by some as being know-it-alls. Yet experience shows that dog people tend to be careful in developing friendships, that they have a good work ethic and are an inspiration to others. Well-known Canadians born in the Year of the Dog are Terry Fox, the Dionne Quintuplets, actor Eugene Levy and Inuit artist Simon Tookoome.
"To our Asian friends who will soon celebrate the new Lunar Year, we extend our warmest wishes for health, happiness and prosperity," says John McCallum, Minister responsible for Canada Post. "It is a great honour to issue these stamps, as they express the quiet strength and dedication of the Asian community in Canada. Their continuing contribution to Canada's growth and prosperity has been a blessing for our country."
For the Chinese, dogs are associated with future prosperity. They also symbolize the home, security, guardianship, loyalty and devotion. In some regions, paper dogs were given to dead people for protection. Dogs figure prominently in Chinese art, appearing in contexts ranging from country homes to supernatural settings.
Torontonian Joe Gault designed the Year of the Dog issue. His portfolio of stamps created for Canada Post include CN Tower (2000) and Gilles Villeneuve (1997) stamps. Mr. Gault, who established his own firm in 1992, earned his stripes working on stamps for several other design companies. Gault says his design is inspired by the characteristics of those born in the Year of the Dog. "Intense loyalty and guardianship of the home and family," he states, "are brought to mind by placing the dogs in front of a temple gate. The twelve animals of the zodiac, emphasizing the connection between the Year of the Dog and the entire cycle, have been worked into the design."
Each Chinese year is named after a particular animal sign of the zodiac in a 12-year cycle, a cycle which begins with the year of the rat. Canada Post began its 12-year cycle of Lunar New Year stamps in 1997 with the Year of the Ox. The stamps encompass an impressive array of printing techniques and styles, including lithography in eight colours, one pearlescent colour, plus two foils and embossing. The domestic rate stamp measures 27 mm x 43.5 mm, and will be sold in panes of 25. The international rate souvenir sheet measures 130 mm x 102 mm (horizontal). The stamps (8 million of the single stamp, 950,000 of the souvenir sheet and 20,000 uncut press sheets) were printed by Lowe-Martin, with P.V.A. gum, on Tullis Russell Coatings paper. They are general tagged on all four sides with 13+ perforations. The Official First Day Cover will read CALGARY AB.
Additional information about Canadian stamps can be found in the Newsroom section of Canada Post's website, and downloadable high-resolution photos of the Year of the Dog stamps are in the Newsroom's Photo Centre. Stamps and Official First Day covers will be available at participating post offices, 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.
For further information, contact:
Cindy Daoust
(613) 734-4258
