Canada Post Corporation, Canada's largest postal operator, is recognized for its iconic logo, which reflects its core promise: fast and reliable postal delivery. The company, which was originally established in 1867 as Royal Mail Canada, has seen several logo iterations throughout its history. The most recent version, introduced in 1987, has remained largely unchanged and continues to represent the organization today.

Meaning and History of the Canada Post Logo

Canada Post’s logo has evolved to mirror the company’s growth, from its early days as a postal service to its present identity as a modern, efficient, and international postal operator. Each redesign has reflected the times, simplifying and modernizing the design, while maintaining a strong connection to the brand’s roots.

1867 – 1949: Early Logos

The first logo of Canada Post was introduced in the 1860s and stayed in use for nearly 80 years. This traditional monogram featured uppercase lettering surrounded by vignettes and an ornate crown above the central characters. The design often appeared on metal plates, engraved with a bronze finish.

1949 – 1965: The Canada Post Office Badge

In 1949, Canada Post was renamed Canada Post Office, and a new logo was introduced. The logo was a simple, clean design featuring the abbreviation CPO in a geometric sans-serif font, set under an extended crown. The emblem was enclosed in a circular frame with a two-tiered inscription, all set in tall uppercase letters.

1965 – 1968: Coat of Arms and Flags

In 1965, the logo was redesigned once again, this time incorporating a more elaborate symbol. The logo featured an enlarged coat of arms above two crossed Canadian flags. The logo included two-level text in an elegant serif font, with the "First Day of Issue" phrase placed on either side of the coat of arms in both English and French.

1968 – 1971: The Red Maple Leaf

In 1968, Canada Post adopted a more modern logo featuring a large red maple leaf in the center of a white square. The leaf was outlined in white and shadowed in gray. The text was written in uppercase sans-serif, with both English and French names of the organization placed above and below the emblem. This logo, though modern, was used for only three years.

1971 – 1987: Flag and Name Simplification

In 1971, the logo underwent another refinement following the organization’s name change to simply Canada Post. The new badge was a horizontally-oriented rectangle, featuring the Canadian flag on the left side, with the organization's name in English and French in a lightweight sans-serif font. The flag appeared again on the right side of the logo.

1987 – 1998: Geometric Bird or Plane

In 1987, Canada Post unveiled a major redesign. The logo now featured heavy serif lettering with the full name of the company, separated by a thick horizontal line. A stylized geometric emblem, which resembled a bird or plane, was placed between the two parts of the wordmark. This logo used a gray color palette, and the design was a visual symbol of Canada Post’s modern approach.

1998 – Present: Winged Envelope Symbol

The current Canada Post logo, introduced in 1998, is sleek and modern, symbolizing the speed and reliability of the postal service. The logo features a winged envelope design: a white parallelepiped represents the envelope, and a white triangle represents the wing. The red stripes on the envelope emphasize the sense of motion.

This symbol is placed inside a red circle, which adds a visual pop, while the circle sits inside a dark blue rectangle, positioned on its wider side. The company’s name, Canada Post, is featured in a light sans-serif typeface on the left, while the French name, Postes Canada, appears on the right. A white bar divides the blue rectangle, reinforcing the motion theme and symbolizing the route the winged envelope travels.

Logo Design and Development

The Canada Post logo was developed by Paul Arthur & Associates in 1987. Paul Arthur was a well-known Canadian graphic designer credited with coining the terms "signage" and "wayfinding". The logo is designed to evoke a sense of efficiency, movement, and airmail, with its dynamic shapes and streamlined look.

Color Palette

Canada Post adheres strictly to its brand identity guidelines, using only specific colors in the logo design. The approved colors are PMS 280 (blue) and PMS 485 (red), or their equivalent CMYK values. These colors reflect Canada’s national identity, with the blue representing stability and trust, and the red symbolizing energy, speed, and efficiency.

The Canada Post logo has undergone several significant transformations since its inception, with each redesign reflecting the company's evolution. From its traditional roots with intricate monograms to the modern, sleek design of today’s logo, it is a symbol of the company's commitment to speed, reliability, and service. The winged envelope in the current logo is a powerful symbol of movement, reinforcing Canada Post’s promise of efficient and fast postal delivery.