Chan's Personal Blog

Under a new consumer protection regulation, businesses in Ontario will have to eliminate expiry dates on gift cards — plastic cards loaded with cash value — as of October 1.

"Cash equivalent gift cards will never expire," Government Services Minister Gerry Phillips said on Tuesday in Toronto.

"These changes the McGuinty government is bringing in are fair to the consumers and, I might add, fair to business. We're moving forward with our changes. We have had the support of a wide range of stakeholders, including the Consumers Council of Canada and the Retail Council of Canada."

Ontario is the first province in Canada to regulate gift cards. Manitoba is considering introducing similar legislation.