The Titanic’s 100th anniversary

OTTAWA, Canadian icons from Rick Hansen to Franklin the turtle, as a well as a host of other milestones and anniversaries highlight Canada Post's 2012 stamp program. The program, announced today, will honour Canadians such as Michael J. Fox; commemorate Her Majesty The Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympic Games; and mark the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic off Canada's east coast. "Stamps are chosen for their contribution to celebrating and promoting Canada—our heroes, our leading personalities, our heritage, our traditions and our achievements," said The Honourable Rob Merrifield, Minister of State (Transport).

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"Creating a final program from hundreds of suggestions is, at best, challenging as we try to mark moments in time that appeal to our culture and our history," said Deepak Chopra, president and CEO, Canada Post. "The stamp program consists of approximately 20 broad subjects or themes covering some 60 stamps."

Highlights of Canada Post's 2012 stamp program

Centennials The sinking of the Titanic - a set of stamps marking Canada's role in the 1912 tragedy Grey Cup, 100th game - a set of stamps showcasing the teams in the Canadian Football League as well as one for the 100th Grey Cup game Calgary Stampede - two stamps to mark the centennial From Track to Field London 2012 Olympic Games - one stamp will mark the Games of the XXX Olympiad Baby Wildlife Definitives - the second issue in a multi-year series depicting young animals native to Canada Daylilies - the popular perennial is this year's flower stamp Icons and Images Children's Literature - a set of stamps will depict classic characters of Canadian children's literature, kicking off with Franklin the Turtle, whose books have sold more than 65 million copies worldwide Canadians who made a difference - four exceptional individuals will be honoured, including Paralympian and activist Rick Hansen, actor Michael J. Fox, jurist and human rights leader Louise Arbour, and Inuit activist Sheila Watt-Cloutier Tommy Douglas and the Birth of Medicare - the minister-turned-premier who helped usher in publicly funded health care for all Canadians, first in Saskatchewan and then across the country Black History Month - African-Canadian cowboy John Ware, who was widely respected for his roping and riding techniques in southern Alberta, and Nova Scotian Viola Desmond, who fought for equality after her arrest in a segregated cinema Art Canada Joe Fafard - the sculptor who pays homage to prairie and farm life Canadian Pride Definitive - five PERMANENT™ stamps showcasing a variety of Canadian flag imagery Royalty and Regiments The Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - a set of six stamps is planned to mark the historic occasion Heroes of the War of 1812 - two stamps depicting important figures in the historic conflict. The 150th anniversary of each of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry and the Montreal-based Black Watch regiment Mark Your Calendars Year of the Dragon - the fourth of the 12-year Lunar New Year series celebrating Chinese culture and traditions Signs of the Zodiac - the second year in the 12-part series allows consumers to use postage that reflects their 'sign' Mental Health - the fifth annual PERMANENT stamp will again raise both awareness and funds for front-line community-based support programs, distributed by the Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health during its annual fall fund-raising campaign Christmas (Secular) - a three-stamp series with a tasty, light-hearted theme Christmas (Sacred) - a PERMANENT stamp featuring a stained-glass window nativity scene In addition, Canada Post is issuing three notable commemorative envelopes in 2012, including:

• City of Victoria, 150th anniversary - celebrating one of Canada's major cities and cultural centres
• Royal Conservatory of Canada, 100th anniversary - marking the reach and contribution of the country's oldest and largest arts organization
• Town of Torbay, Newfoundland and Labrador, 250th anniversary - commemorating the landing of the English in Torbay in 1762

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