Canadian public has first-ever vote on postage stamp design
For the first time in Canada Post’s 150-year history, the Canadian public has been given the decision over the design of a new postage stamp. More than 286,000 votes were cast in Canada Post’s national poll to choose the look for a new specially-themed Mental Health Stamp.
More than 4m of the stamps are set to be printed, going on sale this autumn, with a dollar from the sale of every booklet of 10 stamps going to the Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health.
The winning design was by an artist from Quebec, Terrebonne resident Miriane Majeau, who said she was “proud” that her work entitled The Puzzle had proved most popular among five finalist designs.
She said of her design: “Dealing with mental health issues can be like putting a puzzle together, but as the puzzle comes together, as you find the right pieces and connect them in the right way, something beautiful and whole is revealed.”
Along with a framed commemorative enlargement of the final stamp, Majeau has also been given the chance to select a mental health charity to receive a $500 donation from Canada Post. The artist has chosen La Fondation les petits trésors de l’Hôpital Rivière-des-Prairies to receive the award.
Contest
Canada Post received more than 300 stamp designs in its contest last fall, with a panel of mental health experts and designers whittling down the line-up to 75, before the national Stamp Advisory Committee selected the five finalists to face the public vote.
The other four finalists in the competition, all artists from Ontario, will see their designs featured on the Official First Day Cover envelope and souvenir sheet for the 2011 Mental Health Stamp issue, which is to be released on September 6 as part of Canada Post’s annual fund-raising campaign.
“Each of these designs does an excellent job of raising awareness of the mental health issue and breaking down the stigma attached to it,” said Honourable Rob Merrifield, Minister of State (Transportation) and Minister responsible for Canada Post.
Last year, Canada Post raised $2.2m for its mental health foundation. The company has been raising money for the cause since 2008, raising almost $1m from the sale of mental health stamps in 2008, 2009 and last year.
Spokesperson Anick Losier told Post&Parcel today that her company was “very proud” of the results of the public vote, the first such vote in Canada Post’s history.
Commenting on the winning design, she said: “Miriane Majeau knows mental health issues very well and her artwork reflects that and connected with Canadians. We wanted to engage Canadians not only in mental health issues but also in the stamp selection process and we feel our goals have been well met for a first attempt.”
