Nagano 1998 curling gold medallist and three-time world champion Schmirler - who died of cancer in 2000, four-time Winter X Games freestyle skiing gold medallist Burke - who died in a training accident last year after successfully campaigning for the inclusion of ski halfpipe at next year's Winter Olympics and St Moritz 1948 figure skating champion Scott - who also died in 2012 - will have their achievements celebrated by the special edition stamps.

"Collectively we continue to capture moments that will long live through our stamp collection," Deepak Chopra, President and chief executive of Canada Post, said.

"And we encourage everyone to take note of these stories as they truly mark who we are as Canadians."

Sarah Burke was a key figure in the successful campaign to include ski halfpipe in the Winter Olympic programme

As well as the athletes, singers Shania Twain, Tommy Hunter, k.d. lang, Renée Martel and Hank Snow will also appear on stamps, along with ones highlighting the Komagata Maru, the Japanese steamship that carried 376 people from India that was refused landing rights in Vancouver in May 1914, and the 100th anniversary of the RMS Empress of Ireland tragedy.

Other new stamps will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Ontario Museum, the 75th anniversary of the National Film Board, the return of the Canadian Football League to Ottawa and the UNESCO World Heritage Site series.

"These stamp collections visually narrate some of our country's defining moments - from our darkest days to those of immense pride, the 2014 programme offers us some incredible stories to remember," Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport and responsible for Canada Post, said.

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