The French translates to:
The law prohibits the use of a postage stamp that has already been used.
I think
Canada Post is not stating the law as it is written but just reminding you that there does exist a law on the books in Canada that makes the use of an already used postage stamp unlawful.
I do not think that either their statement or the actual law says anything about ganging up on collectors. That is most likely the accounting department because I am watching them right now on hidden camera and seeing what they are up to.
And of course, everyone, acting as true pirates of the Barbary Coast, er, stamp collectors that is, can make their own decisions as to whether they wish to risk serving time on an oar galley, I mean mopping the Post Office floors or even somewhere less pleasing, when they attempt to reuse a non-cancelled (bad postal people, bad!) stamp and then the Spanish Inquisition jumps out all of a sudden and catches you in the act, as their main weapon is surprise!
I myself am most displeased when I mail a stamp to myself to get a nice cancel and it comes back not cancelled properly. So I send it off again sometimes, and again, until I do get a cancel.
But, selling stamps on
ebay, I have had feedback letting me know that some colectors appreciate a modern cover with nice stamps on, and properly cancelled also, as they are, no doubt, hard to come by unless you do it yourself and again and again.
And the amounts of uncancelled stamps we see on
ebay are probably just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. I personally have not read nor heard of any legal action taken against anyone for reusing postage stamps in Canada or elsewhere, recently that is. Which makes one wonder if any such action has ever happened or ever will?
It makes me wonder if the law was written years ago when postage was 3c and you made 5c for picking a barrel of apples.
Oh, by the way, it is also illegal to use new stamps that are ripped or torn in any way, and I have seen postal clerks do this constantly and even sell me some and say it is alright, use it anyway. I am being pushed to commit illegal acts by
Canada Post themselves, or their representatives.
Makes you want to move to an island somewhere and grow bananas.


Cardinal Fang on board the good ship 'Propriety' out of New Scotland in this year of our Postal Plentitude 2011.
