In conjunction with the new rate change effective January 1, 2001, Canada Post has issued six new definitives of varying themes. Of these six, the Queen, Flag, and Maple Leaf issues bear the new domestic rate ($0.47), while three new medium-value definitives feature the red fox, the grey wolf and the white-tailed deer; mammals common to many regions of Canada. These definitives bear the denominations of $0.60, $0.75 and $1.05 respectively. All six definitives were issued on December 28, 2000 in Ottawa, Ontario.

Remembrance Day is a time to honour Canada's Armed Forces, and on November 11 Canada Post pays tribute to two different regiments -- Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), an Alberta-based armoured unit, and Les Voltigeurs de Québec, a Quebec City reserve infantry regiment. The final stamps of the year 2000 are a colourful yet proud look at two of Canada's outstanding military units, both of which have served their country with distinction.

The Nativity is an integral theme in Christian art, and this Christmas is especially significant as it marks the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Christ. Canada Post celebrates this momentous occasion with a set of three Christmas stamps featuring Nativity scenes enthusiastically crafted by Canadian artists with disabilities. These artists have realized their creative talent by learning to paint or draw using their feet or mouth instead of their hands. Many such artists have made painting their liveliehood, either independently or through commercial organizations.

Christmas-themed Greeting Stamps and Picture PostageTM from Canada Post feature a newly-designed self-adhesive frame which accommodates either a horizontal or vertical photo sticker. Greeting Stamps stickers bear one of five themes -Angel, Sleigh, Christmas Tree, Santa Claus, or Holly - while Picture PostageTM stickers display the image from a supplied photo. Designed by Steven Spazuk, Christmas Greeting Stamps and Picture PostageTM were issued on October 5, 2000.

To accurately represent the range of size and physical characteristics of the blue, bowhead, beluga and narwhal, Vancouver designer and illustrator Keith Martin chose to utilize the space afforded by the entire stamp pane, selvage included. Of the 35 whale species recorded in Canadian waters, 21 are referred to as "common" or "regular." From these 21, four were chosen to be featured in this set of stamps, which were issued October 2.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary in the year 2000, Petro-Canada has risen from a Crown corporation developed in response to the mid-1970s energy crisis to a successful profit-oriented business with world-class assets. Today, this thriving company is a leader in the realms of natural gas exploration and production, offshore oil and gas developments, and the refining of petroleum products. It is also recognized for its environmental responsibility and its support to cultural, educational and community organizations across the country.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Department of Labour, Canada Post will issue this domestic-rate commemorative stamp. The vibrant colours and multiple themes in the stamp's design reflect the rich and varied elements of Canada's labour history; a history which took a turn for the better when William Lyon Mackenzie King founded and created this benevolent institution.

The barques, brigantines and schooners featured in this set of two stamps are just a sampling of the approximately 150 tall ships that will cruise into Halifax Harbour on July 19 during The Race of the Century. Designer Fraser Ross, and illustrator Bonnie Ross took great pains to ensure that various classes of tall ships were represented in this set, which will be issued on July 19. An estimated 700,000 spectators will be on hand in Halifax to witness the ships' arrival.

In this issue of the Masterpieces of Canadian Art series, platinum foil frames Cornelius Krieghoff's 1858 painting, The Artist at Niagara. Designed by Pierre-Yves Pelletier of Montreal, the stamp showcases a dramatic rendering of one of the most impressive natural wonders in the world. The stamp was issued on July 7, 2000 to coincide with the Art Gallery of Ontario's centennial.

The four colourful stamps in this unique set are the result of Stampin' the Future TM, a Canada-wide stamp-design contest which invited children aged 8-12 to envision 21st-century Canada. Montreal designer Lise Giguère's task was to keep the artwork of contest-winners Rosalie Anne Nardelli, Sarah Lutgen, Andrew Wright and Christine Weera as the central focus of each stamp. This set was issued in Ottawa on Canada Day 2000 (July 1) amid celebrations on Parliament Hill.

To mark the first time that the General Conference Session of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church was held in Canada, a 46-cent stamp was issued on June 29, 2000. With nearly 11 million members, Seventh-day Adventism is one of the world's fastest growing Christian denominations. The designers at Malcolm Waddell Associates superimposed the symbol of the Church on the image of a Mountain sunset to create a stamp that honours both the church and the Conference's host country, Canada.

In 1996, the Government of Canada officially declared June 21 to be National Aboriginal Day. Now, Canada Post is honoured to voice its support for this annual event with a commemorative envelope.

On June 1, 2000, Canada Post issued a new stamp to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. Comprising 99 local chapters across the country, this organization promotes the healthy growth and development of Canada's youth. Gary Ludwig designed the stamp, employing a photograph to convey the tangible, true-life experience of the Boys and Girls Clubs.

Dr. Michel Sarrazin was Canada's first medical doctor and scientist. Visiting New France first in 1685 and returning in 1697 as the king's physician, Sarrazin gained a reputation for being a man of great kindness and compassion. He performed what is thought to have been the first mastectomy ever done in Canadian history in 1700.

On May 23, 2000, Canada Post joined in celebrations of the Queen Mother's 100th year by issuing this international-rate commemorative stamp. This remarkable woman's role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces Medical Services, The Black Watch of Canada and the Toronto Scottish Regiment forever links her with our country. For this issue, designer Ian Drolet worked from a photograph taken by William Conran on The Queen Mother's 99th birthday.

Highlighting some of Canada's most spectacular natural beauties, the Fresh Waters of Canada stamp set was issued May 23, 2000. These US- and international-rate stamps acknowledge Canada's abundant fresh-water riches. Fresh Waters of Canada features images by celebrated photographers Mia Matthas and the late Klaus Matthas. Mia selected the photos and assisted Clermont Malenfant with stamp design.

This four-stamp set celebrates the roadside mailboxes as a vibrant form of folk art and pays tribute to the fine tradition of rural postal delivery in Canada. Issued April 28, 2000, this collection also honours George Wilcox (1846-1937), whose efforts led to the beginning of rural delivery in 1908. Martin Côté provided the illustrations and Raymond Bellemare the design for these stamps which recognize the rustic charm of rural mailboxes.

Canada Post released a unique new product on April 28, 2000: similar to the popular Greeting Stamps released by Canada Post in the past, Picture Postage puts a new twist on custom postage. The first personalized stamp of its kind in the world, Picture Postage allows users to create their own stamps by inserting photo images of their choice into self-adhesive frames. Greeting Stamps, also released on April 28, supply a selection of five different special-occasion stickers for use with the frames.

Commemorating the 75th anniversary of a time-honoured Canadian tradition, the Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer domestic-rate stamp was issued on April 25, 2000. Designer Darrell Freeman's tête bêche, or head-to-foot, layout cleverly incorporates the symbolic iron ring that is presented as part of the ceremony. The ring also visually links the four engineering achievements featured on this stamp.

On April 10, 2000, Canada Post issued a stamp in commemoration of the Supreme Court of Canada's 125th anniversary. The stamp features a richly textured original painting by stamp designer Claude Le Sauteur. It symbolizes the unity and strength of the Court and testifies to the relevance and vitality of this important Canadian institution.

The fifth set in Canada Post's beautiful Birds of Canada series, these four stamps were issued March 1, 2000. Commemorated in this collection are the Canada warbler, the osprey, the Pacific loon and the blue jay. Noted scientific illustrator and wildlife artist Pierre Leduc teamed up with eminent Canadian designer Raymond Bellemare to create four colourful stamps that present these striking creatures in the beauty of their natural habitats.

In honour of the 50th NHL® All-Star Game, Canada Post issued a unique six-stamp souvenir sheet featuring an All-Star lineup of Canadian hockey greats. Date of Issue: February 5, 2000. Designed by artists Dan Fell and Vincent McIndoe, the stamps convey both the excitement and history of one of our national sports. Action vignettes combining canvas illustration and computer design depict six of the game's most celebrated players - Wayne Gretzky "The Great One," Gordie Howe® "Mr. Hockey"®, Maurice "Rocket" Richard, Doug Harvey, Bobby Orr and Jacques Plante. Each stamp portrays one of the superstars emerging from a spotlit ice surface and into Canadian history.

This Lunar New Year release honours the dragon - both an ancient symbol of China and an evocative creature of myth. The Year of the Dragon is commemorated with an intricately detailed, domestic-rate pane of 25 stamps, First Day Covers, a souvenir sheet with one international-rate stamp, and an uncut press sheet incorporating 12 souvenir sheets. The design by Koo Creative Group of Vancouver B.C. uses embroidery, a prestigious art form in China. The release was issued on January 5, 2000. This Lunar New Year release honours the dragon - both an ancient symbol of China and an evocative creature of myth. The Year of the Dragon is commemorated with an intricately detailed, domestic-rate pane of 25 stamps, First Day Covers, a souvenir sheet with one international-rate stamp, and an uncut press sheet incorporating 12 souvenir sheets. The design by Koo Creative Group of Vancouver B.C. uses embroidery, a prestigious art form in China. The release was issued on January 5, 2000.

Issued on January 1, 2000, this single domestic-rate stamp celebrates the new millennium and the Canada Millennium Partnership Program, which promotes local, national and international ventures that create a positive legacy for our future. The Partnership Program logo is pictured emerging from a clear blue sky, symbolizing movement towards a new millennium and a hopeful future. The stamp was designed by karacters design group of Vancouver.