Canada celebrates Chinese New Year with Year of the Tiger stamps (along with a rate increase, too)

First the good news: On Jan. 8, 2010 Canada Post issued a set of Year of the Tiger stamps to welcome in the Lunar New Year. The two stamps are the second issue in the 12-year Lunar New Year series, and tell the story of the tiger through traditional Chinese icons and imagery.

The international rate stamp, which is available only on the souvenir sheet, depicts a Chinese seal. The domestic rate stamp features the imprint of this seal, which portrays a tiger in a traditionally stylized manner.

A reception was held in Vancouver, BC to celebrate the issue of the stamps.

Less popular is the announcement that new postal rates go into effect today, Jan. 11, 2010. As part of Canada Post's five-year pricing plan, the new rate to to mail a domestic for the next five years increased by three cents to 57 cents, and will rise by an additional two cents annually from 2011 to 2014.

Other rate adjustments include a two-cent increase to $1 for letters, cards and postcards mailed to the USA; and a five-cent increase to $1.70 for letters, cards and postcards to other foreign destinations.