Holiday stamps (CNW Group/Canada Post)
An annual holiday tradition since 1964, Canada Post has released new stamp issues to help Canadians make their cards and letters more festive. This season’s stamps feature the work of Nova Scotia folk artist Maud Lewis. Once again this year, Canadians can make their mail merrier with their choice of stamps bearing either sacred or secular holiday imagery. This year’s Christmas issue is inspired by traditional paintings of the Nativity. Along with the central figures of Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus, the stamp also includes an ox and a donkey — two additions made popular by St. Francis of Assisi. The Permanent™ domestic rate stamp, designed by Soapbox Design and illustrated by Sandra Dionisi, is available in a booklet of 12. An Official First Day Cover is cancelled in Sainte-Famille, Quebec. This year’s secular holiday stamps, designed by Hélène L’Heureux, feature three festive scenes by Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis. Lewis’ earliest works were Christmas cards painted under the guidance of her mother and sold door to door to her neighbours in rural Nova Scotia. This issue features seasonal works from the collection of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in Halifax: Winter Sleigh Ride (12-stamp booklet at the Permanent™ domestic rate), Team of Oxen in Winter (six-stamp booklet at the U.S. rate) and Family and Sled (six-stamp booklet at the international rate). A souvenir sheet, depicting Lewis’ whimsical cats, and a souvenir sheet Official First Day Cover, cancelled in Digby, Nova Scotia, round out the issue.
For the first time, Pomerleau, a Canadian construction leader and pioneer in sustainable buildings and renewable energy, has been selected by Canada’s Top 100 Employers as one of the best employers in the country. This recognition rewards Canadian companies offering exceptional workplaces for their employees. “Receiving this distinction is a real honour for us,” emphasized Francis Pomerleau – Chief executive, Talent, Culture and Leadership. In fact, the company was so excited Pomerleau transformed its Pomerleau Challenge into a virtual one; more than 400 employees participated, recording a total of more than 200 activities per day. In recognition of their participation, Pomerleau donated $625,000 to 14 charities working in health care, health research and food support for vulnerable populations affected by COVID-19, reinforcing even more its unique corporate culture. A medical teleconsultation service has also been deployed for employees and their families, so that they have safe access to the advice of doctors and nurses. Now in its 21st edition, Canada’s Top 100 Employers is an editorial competition that recognizes employers with exceptional human resources programs and forward-thinking workplace policies.
The National Gallery of Canada Foundation’s new CEO is Barbara Stead-Coyle, who took the helm on November 16, 2020. Stead-Coyle brings fifteen years of executive experience in the non-profit healthcare sector and has held senior leadership roles in the areas of fundraising, strategic planning and management, strategic partnerships, and donor, board and government relations. Most recently, Ms. Stead-Coyle was CEO of Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC) where she led a national team in fund development, research development, program/service delivery and advocacy. She was responsible for restructuring which resulted in increased mission spending, reduced costs, and streamlined operations nationwide. Her focus on building research capacity and increased advocacy ensured MDC had a voice on critical matters including drug shortages, clinical trials and more support for the MDC community. She also served on the Board of the Health Charities Coalition of Canada, and the Patient Advisory Committee with the Canadian Institute of Health Research. Leadership isn’t her only talent…she holds both Bachelor and Master degrees in Music (Voice) from McGill University and performed as a professional singer and actress for several years. Founded in 1997, The National Gallery of Canada Foundation is a not-for-profit registered charity. Composed of a volunteer Board of Directors, its primary mission is to cultivate support in Canada and abroad, to raise capital and to manage and grow an endowment for the benefit of the National Gallery of Canada.
Upon the advocacy of Steve Falk, CEO of Prime Data, and other industry leaders, Canada Post has now included thank you notes with tax receipts in the Personalized Mail category. Until this change in classification, tax receipts were sent at Lettermail rates. This change makes it easier to develop strong, lasting relationships with donors using printed mail and challenges trends in email delivered receipts and thank yous. A promptly-mailed thank you letter hits the mark according to the Philanthropy Centre report Learning To Say Thank You. It’s been shown that paper thank you notes improve a donor’s ongoing support. Therefore, sending a note is paramount to successful lifetime fundraising outcomes. The new classification will encourage donor relations practices and improve outcomes for charitable giving in Canada.
Inuit have been leaders in environmental stewardship and effective resource management since time immemorial. That’s why the Government of Canada is working with Inuit communities to protect nature and biodiversity in the northern regions of Canada. The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, announced a $1.43 million contribution for the creation of an Indigenous protected and conserved area for Arqvilliit in partnership with the community of Inukjuak. Arqvilliit, also called the Ottawa Islands, is a chain of 24 islands—spanning 24,000 hectares—in the north-eastern part of Tasiujarruaq ilua (Hudson Bay). The conservation of Arqvilliit will support the Nunavik Inuit’s cultural connection to the land and protect habitat for species at risk, including the polar bear, a culturally significant species for Inuit. Other species such as the red knot rufa subspecies, the Atlantic walrus, the harlequin duck, and the common eider will also benefit from this project. The protection of Arqvilliit is an important step toward reconciliation with Nunavik Inuit, by supporting and respecting their way of life, culture, and livelihoods. The creation of this Indigenous protected and conserved area will also support regional development by creating good, local jobs.
Hellmann’s Scary Food Waste Costumes (CNW Group/Hellmann’s Canada)
Hellmann’s has been on the side of food since 2007 with the introduction of the Real Food Movement. To date, Hellmann’s has donated 127,250 meals through the Real Food Rescue program and original Animal Crossing initiative for Canadians in need, with an additional 26,000 meals to be provided through the brand’s ongoing partnership with Second Harvest via Hellmann’s Halloween Island. With Halloween tipped to look a little bit different this year, Hellmann’s Halloween Island offered Canadians a new, spooky virtual island experience and fun escape to enjoy safely from home, as well as the opportunity to once again make change in the real world, by converting their spoiled turnips in the game into real food for people in need via Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue organization. Around 80,000 metric tonnes of pumpkins are produced in Canada each year. However most of these are never eaten and end up being thrown away. Hellmann’s believes nothing is scarier than food waste, and the Halloween-themed island helps Canadians be more resourceful with their food and waste less each Halloween.
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