Date of issue: January 17, 2000
Printer: Ashton-Potter Canada
Series: The Millennium Collection, Social Progress
Design: François Blais; based on a photograph by Yves Lacombe
Les Hospitalières de Québec
Les Hospitalières de Québec founded l’Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, the first hospital in North America north of Mexico. Marie-Madeleine de Vignerot, the Duchess D’Aiguillon, and the Augustines Hospitalières de Dieppe had established it in name in 1637. Two years later, three young nuns (hospitalières – those who care for the homeless, needy, and sick) traveled to Quebec, where they began work in a small building in Sillery (on the south side of the St Lawrence river opposite Quebec City). Because that site was deemed unsafe, they moved across the river in 1644 to the present site of l’Hôtel-Dieu.
At the Duchess’s request, the hospitalières’ priority was to provide care to the Native population. However, the Quebec City site soon became the main civil and military hospital of all New France and they cared for English and French soldiers as well as civilians. l’Hôtel-Dieu expanded in 1829 and, in 1855 became the first teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Laval. It continued to be operated by the Augustinians until 1962.
The Stamp
The stamp shows images of a nun and a masked physician or nurse, representing progress in medical care from the time of initial Hospitalières to the present day. This theme is emphasized by the printed legend on the margin next to the stamp itself - From Les Hospitalières de Québec to Medicare. Part of the early l’Hôtel-Dieu is seen between the two people. A portion of a cross, symbolizing the catholic influence in early Canadian hospital development, is present in the background.
