A Vancouver man has launched a petition calling on Canada Post to launch an emergency charity stamp to fundraise for Ukrainian refugee relief.
Brian Grant Duff, owner-opreator of Vancouver’s All Nations Stamp and Coin, said the sale of what’s known as “semi-postal” stamps has been used in the United States to raise millions of dollars for breast cancer research, and Canada Post could quickly retool to produce one to support Ukraine.
“We know that they can make a quick stamp, even though it normally takes two years, because during COVID, they made a Thank You-Merci stamp for their own employees, and when Vancouver was awarded the Olympics, they did a quick over-print on the Canada Post headquarters and put that out almost on the day that the Olympics were awarded, so they can do this,” he said.
Grant Duff said Canada and Ukraine have deep historic ties, and Canada Post has previously produced stamps celebrating the Ukrainian community’s contributions in Canada.
The Crown Corporation has also produced sunflower stamps, he said, noting that the sunflower is a national Ukrainian symbol.
Such a stamp would also raise Canada Post’s profile and help Canadians reconnect with the postal service, he said, while providing another secure way for Canadians to help the Ukraine relief effort.
“This is a way that people can choose to give money, have something to show for it and actually use the stamps as well. So to me, it’s a no brainer, it’s a win-win,” he said.
Grant Duff said he took the idea to the Canadian Stamp Dealers’ Association, who pitched it to Canada Post, but were told the Crown Corporation needs two years to launch a new stamp.
In a statement, Canada Post acknowledged the “brutal violence” perpetrated against Ukrainian civilians during Russia’s “unjustifiable invasion.”
“Canada Post is in the process of determining how the National Stamp Program can help to recognize this devastating situation while potentially raising much-needed funds,” the Crown corporation said.
“Under normal circumstances, creating, producing and distributing a new stamp is a lengthy process. However, we are looking at ways to fast track our process given the urgency of the situation.”
The Change.org petition has collected about 375 signatures in the five days since Grant Duff launched it.