The exhibit will be officially opened to the public on Canada Day, when the Right Honourable Jean Chretien, Prime Minister of Canada, will join the Honourable Andr6 Ouellet, President and CEO of Canada Post, Dr. Victor Rabinovitch, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation, Dr. Ian Wilson, National Archivist of Canada, and Mr. Charles Verge, President of The Royal Philatelic Society of Canada, for the exhibit's inaugural tour. "This project is Canada Post's gift to the people of Canada as our postal service concludes its year-long 150th anniversary celebrations" said Mr. Ouellet. "This is more than merely the display of the nation's stamp collection. It is an invaluable and fascinating educational tool for our country's youth and the many millions of tourists who visit the nation's capital." The display features more than 2,300 stamps, presented chronologically and thematically, highlighting Canadian culture, philately, society, history, sports, economy, environment and symbols. Additional information on certain stamps, denoting significant national and postal-related events, will provide insightful historical data within the display. Finally, all stamps relating to the immensely popular Heritage Minutes, historical vignettes produced by Historica, will direct visitors to nearby computer terminals where they can view the video vignettes. The Province of Canada issued our country's first postage stamp, the three pence beaver, in 1851, however the province of New Brunswick was not far behind, issuing three pence, six pence and one shilling stamps in September of that same year. Other provinces would soon follow: Nova Scotia in 1853, Newfoundland in 1857, British Columbia and Vancouver Island in 1860, Prince Edward Island in 1861. From 1867 to 1949, each province ceased producing their own postage stamps as they joined confederation. While New Brunswick issued just 11, and BC and Nova Scotia issued 13 each, Newfoundland issued 270 stamps. For the first time ever, all Canadian stamps, including those issued by the provinces, will be part of the display in perpetuity. Canadian philatelic treasures on display include: • A proof of the Three-pence Beaver. The first stamp issued in Canada after the transfer of responsibility for postal service from Great Britain to Canada in 1851. It was also the first stamp in the world to depict an animal. • The first Christmas stamp in the world, issued by Canada in 1898. The inscription "XMAS 1898" appeared over a map of the world with the British Empire identified in red, also making it the first multi-coloured stamp in the world. • The Bluenose stamp, issued in 1929, considered the most beautiful stamp ever printed by Canada, and among the world's most beautiful stamps. • Canada's first hologram stamp, issued on October 1St, 1992, and depicting Canada in space. The project was developed by three members of Canada Post's Stamp Advisory Committee, working in collaboration with Canada Post's stamp research and design team, the National Archives of Canada, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, Pelletier Design and Historica. 
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