Gift Cards in Ontario: No Expiry Dates, and Other Rules

Under Ontario's Consumer Protection Act, most gift cards can't have an expiry date, and businesses generally can't charge fees that eat into the balance.

The rules

• No expiry dates on most gift cards sold to consumers.
• No dormancy or inactivity fees that reduce the balance.
• Limited fees, such as for replacing a lost card or customizing it, are allowed if disclosed.

Common exceptions

• Cards for a specific good or service, such as a spa treatment, may say what they are for.
• Cards given free as part of a promotion, where you didn't pay, may expire.

If a store goes out of business

If a business closes or goes bankrupt, the card may become hard to use. Use cards promptly, and if the business is insolvent, you may be able to file a claim in the bankruptcy, though recovery isn't guaranteed.

If a business refuses your card

Ask politely, then in writing, citing the Consumer Protection Act. You can also file a complaint with Consumer Protection Ontario.

Sources

• Consumer Protection Act, 2002
• Consumer Protection Ontario

Read next: Cancelling Online Subscriptions and Auto-Renewals in Ontario

General Ontario legal information, not legal advice for your matter, and reading it does not create a retainer. Sources checked 15 October 2026: check the current law, forms and dates before you act.

Photos from Pexels: Wrapping a gift with a gift certificate · Shopping bags in a small shopping cart.

This article is general information for people in Ontario, not legal advice. Rules, forms and deadlines change, and every situation is different. Check the current rule or speak to a licensed legal professional before you act.