Gift cards are now the gift that won’t stop giving in
Ontario and Manitoba. Effective Oct. 1, gift cards purchased in Ontario
no longer have expiry dates.
Gift cards are now the gift that won’t stop giving in Ontario and Manitoba. Effective Oct. 1, gift cards purchased in Ontario no longer have expiry dates. Up front fees for gift cards are illegal and businesses can only charge extra fees to customize a gift card or to replace a lost or stolen card. Under the new law, retailers must disclose gift card terms and conditions clearly and prominently at their store. Fines will be given to retailers who violate the new regulations.
Shopping mall gift cards that can be used at multiple retailers are temporarily excluded from this new legislation, pending further study. The law also does not apply to loyalty cards, prepaid phone cards, gift cards given away for promotional purposes, cards purchased for a specific service (such as a manicure at a spa) or to any gift cards sold before Oct. 1.
In Manitoba, the same gift card legislation will take effect on Nov. 1.
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