No, you cannot legally throw away mail that isn't yours in Canada.
Discarding mail that is not addressed to you is considered an offense under the Canada Post Act. This legislation establishes regulations concerning the handling and integrity of mail, making it a crime not only to open someone else's mail but also to simply discard it.
Why Discarding Misdelivered Mail is Illegal
The Canada Post Act protects the sanctity of mail, ensuring that postal services are used appropriately and mail reaches its intended recipient. When mail is misdelivered to you, it still belongs to the intended recipient and remains under the protection of postal law. Discarding it deprives the rightful owner of their property and can be seen as an interference with postal services.
Beyond discarding, other actions related to mail that are prohibited include:
- Opening Mail: It is an offense to open mail that is not addressed to you.
- Defacing Stamps: Removing or defacing a Canada Post postage stamp without express permission is also against the law under this Act.
What to Do with Mail That Isn't Yours
Instead of throwing it away, there are specific, legal steps you should take when you receive mail not addressed to you:
- Do Not Open It: Resist the urge to open the envelope, even if you are curious. Opening mail not addressed to you is a separate offense.
- Mark It Clearly: Write "Misdelivered," "Return to Sender," or "Not at this address" on the envelope. Be sure not to obscure any postal codes or the recipient's address.
- Return to Canada Post:
- Drop the mail into any Canada Post street letter box.
- Take it to your nearest Canada Post office location.
By following these steps, you ensure the mail is returned to Canada Post, allowing them to re-process and attempt to deliver it to the correct address or return it to the sender.
Quick Reference: Handling Misdelivered Mail
Here's a summary of what to do and what to avoid:
| Action | Status | Correct Procedure / Legal Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Opening mail not addressed to you | Illegal | Do not open it. |
| Discarding mail not addressed to you | Illegal | Return to Canada Post. |
| Removing or defacing a Canada Post stamp | Illegal | Leave stamps intact. |
| Writing "Misdelivered" and returning to CP | Correct | Facilitates proper delivery/return. |
For more information on postal regulations, you can refer to official Canada Post guidelines regarding misdelivered mail:
