The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
"When I grow up, I want to be an astronaut." Ð words spoken by almost every child at one time or another. New stamps being issued by Canada Post will allow all Canadians to share in the excitement of one of the country's most admired organizations, maybe even re-igniting some of those aspirations. This fall, Canada Post will issue a set of stamps to celebrate Canadian Astronauts, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and decades of Canadian achievements and presence in space. Each of the eight stamps will feature a Canadian astronaut who has spent time in space. Six million of the stamps will be issued on October 1, to coincide with October is Stamp Collecting month. "For over 40 years, Canada has vigilantly pursued a national vision of space that has brought many dreams to reality," said the Honourable Steven W. Mahoney, Secretary of State responsible for Canada Post. See 'National' P.# Con't from P.# "For Canadians, space exploration remains not only a source of wonder, but of national pride. Canadian Astronauts have played a key role over the past two decades in Nasa Shuttle missions." The Canadian Space Agency was created by an Act of Parliament on December 14th, 1989. Its mandate is to promote the peaceful use and development of space for the social and economic benefit of Canadians. The agency is responsible for numerous science and technology programs, including the development of satellites, space robotic technology and space sciences. The CSA also manages the selection and training of Canadian astronauts. The Canadian astronauts featured on the new stamps are those that have flown in space Ð Marc Garneau (1984, 1996, 2000), Roberta Bondar (1992), Steve MacLean (1992), Chris Hadfield (1995, 2001), Robert Thirsk (1996), Bjarni Tryggvason (1997), Dave Williams (1998) and Julie Payette (1999). These unique stamps were designed by Pierre-Yves Pelletier, who, with more than 100 philatelic creations to his credit, is arguably Canada's most prolific stamp designer. October has been recognized as Stamp Collecting Month in countries around the world for over 20 years. Postal administrations, including Canada Post, use the month to further educate philatelists and entice new collectors into what is often described as the world's most popular hobby. Canada Post has issued some of its most popular stamps for past Stamp Collecting Months, including issues that featured Superman, Winnie the Pooh and last year's innovative set on mountains. The stamps will be available at post offices across the country on October 1, 2003.
