It’s the end of an era for many Canadian toy shoppers. After years of being a staple in our communities, Toys “R” Us Canada is significantly winding down its operations following a recent filing for creditor protection.
While the news is a heavy blow for “Toys ‘R’ Us kids” of all ages, there is a much more urgent matter: Your gift cards are about to become worthless.
Toys ‘R’ Us Canada Gift Card Deadline: February 16
If you have a Toys “R” Us or Babies “R” Us gift card, you have until Monday, February 16, 2026, to spend it.
As part of the company’s restructuring under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), the retailer has announced it will only honor existing gift cards for a 14-day window that began earlier this month. Once the clock strikes midnight on the 16th, those cards will no longer be accepted as a form of payment.
Is it Legal for Gift Cards to Expire?
While provincial laws in Manitoba and across Canada generally prohibit gift cards from having an expiry date, those rules often change when a company enters creditor protection or bankruptcy proceedings.
When a company files for CCAA, they are effectively asking the court for permission to restructure their debts. During this process, a judge can approve a deadline for gift card redemptions to help the company stabilize its finances. Once that court-approved deadline passes, the gift card holder becomes an “unsecured creditor,” meaning the chances of getting your money back are slim to none. This is why it is critical to use the balance before the February 16 cutoff.
Online Store Closes Its Doors
If you were hoping to clear out your gift card balance from the comfort of your couch, we have bad news. The Toys “R” Us Canada online store has already shut down. The website currently serves only as an information portal, directing customers to visit physical locations for any remaining inventory. This means the only way to redeem your balance is to head to a brick-and-mortar store in person.
What This Means for Winnipeg Shoppers
Winnipeggers have a slight reprieve compared to other parts of the country where stores have already shuttered entirely. For now, the two remaining Winnipeg locations are still operational:
- Polo Park (1445 St. Matthews Ave)
- Regent (1560 Regent Ave W)
While these doors remain open for the time being, they are bound by the same national deadline. Both the Polo Park and Regent locations will stop accepting gift cards after February 16.
Selection is expected to move fast as shoppers rush to use their balances. If you’ve been eyeing a specific LEGO set or baby gear, it’s best to head down sooner rather than later.
