Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
My name is Robert Waite. I'm senior vice-president, corporate social responsibility, for Canada Post Corporation. I'm also the chair of the Canadian stamp advisory board. I'm joined here by Elia Anoia, who is manager of new products service and delivery. She's here to help me if I need any technical help, which is always possible.
Mr. Chairman, thank you for the invitation to appear here today. As chairman of Canada Post's Stamp Advisory Committee, I am very pleased to be here to outline Canada Post's stamp subject selection policy and to discuss stamps in general.
Canadian stamps are recognized internationally to be among the finest in the world. Canadian stamps have long been a source of pride for Canadians. Through our stamp program, we celebrate the remarkable heritage of our country, and we attempt to capture Canada and what it means to be Canadian and showcase that to the world. Canadian stamps celebrate and promote our history, our heroes, our leading personalities, and the achievements and passions of our people.
The selection of stamps is undertaken, like all operations at Canada Post, in a non-political manner and at arm's length from the government. Central to the stamp selection process is an invitation to all Canadians to participate through their suggestions for subjects to illustrate our stamps.
Every year, Canada Post receives between 500 and 600 different suggestions for subjects or events to be celebrated by a stamp or commemorative envelope. Only approximately 20 of the suggested subjects will eventually be honoured by a Canadian stamp and only two or three by a commemorative envelope. The Canada Post Board of Directors approves the annual stamp program on the recommendation of this national Stamp Advisory Committee.
Most countries have such a stamp advisory committee. Ours is formed of knowledgeable Canadians from across the country, selected for their historic, design, or philatelic knowledge. The committee was first established in 1969 to help guide the selection of Canadian stamps. Its composition reflects English-speaking and French-speaking populations, as well as the regional and ethnic diversity of the country.
The Stamp Advisory Committee evaluates suggestions for stamps using the following criteria.
First, the topics should appeal to broad segments of the Canadian population and encourage Canadians of all ages to buy and collect stamps.
Next, they should relate primarily to Canada and be of national significance. For example, they should evoke Canadian history, traditions, accomplishments, or natural heritage, or illustrate the social, cultural, political, or economic life of the country.
Often they commemorate people, their work, their birth, or an event in their lives. In this way, their outstanding contributions to Canada are recognized and celebrated.
The committee also favours stamps that enhance the high regard for Canadian stamps and Canada in national and international philatelic circles. In addition, Canada Post makes every effort to maintain regional and cultural balance in selecting subjects and designs so that stamps appropriately reflect all aspects of our nation.
I've brought with me copies of the 2009 and 2010 stamp programs to allow you to see examples of selected topics. Particularly popular ones include Canadian recording artists, our recent Remembrance Day stamp, and the 100th anniversary stamp for the Montreal Canadiens. Other significant and notable stamps include a stamp celebrating the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games and the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy.
The stamp selection process is a lengthy one. It involves a thorough review of hundreds of suggestions received. Once a topic is selected, time is needed for researching, designing, producing, and promoting these stamps.
Accordingly, we tell those who wish to propose stamp subjects that, at a minimum, they should submit their suggestions two years before the beginning of the desired year of issue. This is a very important consideration for those suggesting subjects related to anniversaries or any other time-sensitive events.
Suggestions for stamps come from a wide variety of proposers, which reflects the vast diversity of interests in the country. We have received a number of stamp suggestions related to past treatment of various ethnic groups, for example.
In regard to the topic at hand, the stamp provision of Bill C-302 let us look back at the context of World War II. At that time, a number of groups were subject to internment, including German Canadians, Italian Canadians, and Japanese Canadians, among others. Most recently, Ukrainian and Croatian Canadians have sent us similar types of stamp requests.
To date, and after careful consideration, the stamp advisory committee has not recommended any of these topics for inclusion in the program.
I would invite members to read the stamp subject selection policy brochure, which I have here with me and will circulate at the conclusion. I would also like to reinforce the fact that Canada Post is open to all suggestions for stamp topics and will diligently consider them when submitted.
Again, let me say thank you for having me here today to explain a program that is a tremendous source of pride for Canada Post and, I believe, for all Canadians.
I stand available for any questions that committee members may have.
