Canada Post has unveiled a stamp that pays tribute to members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) for their critical role in responding to emergencies across Canada, such as wildfires, floods and ice storms.
Dedicated members of the CAF, both regular and reserve members, are a last line of defence when natural disasters occur. Trained in engineering, health services, aviation, logistics and the use of specialized equipment, they conduct evacuations, deliver aid, provide transportation, execute search and rescue missions, among many other tasks.
This year alone, the CAF have answered the call for help in August (almost 600 forest fires in B.C.); May (the evacuation of 140 people threatened by fire in Manitoba, and flood relief in B.C. and New Brunswick); and April (floods at Kashechewan First Nation in Ontario).
The stamp was unveiled at 2nd Canadian Division Support Base Valcartier, near Quebec City, which is home to roughly 6,000 members mainly from the 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group and the 2nd Canadian Division Support Group. Members from the base have assisted in Operation LENTUS missions, most recently in the spring floods of 2017 in Quebec.
First Responders stamps
The other emergency responders’ stamps pay tribute to paramedics, search and rescue experts, fire fighters and police officers. The paramedics stamp was unveiled at the Ambulance New Brunswick headquarters in Fredericton, N.B. The next stamp will be revealed in Banff, Alta. Last this week, and all five will be unveiled by this Friday.
The stamps will be available for purchase on canadapost.ca and at postal outlets across Canada as of Friday, Sept. 14.
On Friday, Delta MP Carla Qualtrough will be hosting a media event unveiling the stamps at the public safety building in North Delta.
Delta police Chief Neil Dubord, Delta fire Chief Paul Schofield and Mayor Lois Jackson will be among the dignitaries on hand.
