Toys "R" Us Canada filed for creditor protection on February 3, 2026, and the landscape has changed fast. The chain is down to 22 stores from a peak of 81, e-commerce is offline, and gift cards stopped working on February 16. If you're looking for a Toys R Us Canada sale in 2026, the picture looks different from a standard yearly sale calendar. This guide covers what's actually happening with the closures, how the liquidation discounts work, and what the remaining stores may still offer for the rest of the year.
Toys R Us Closing Canada: What the CCAA Filing Means
Toys "R" Us Canada officially filed for protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) on February 3, 2026. The filing came after a rapid store-closing program that began in late 2025, and the company is now operating under court supervision with Alvarez & Marsal Canada Inc. appointed as the CCAA monitor.
In practical terms, this means the company is trying to restructure while keeping its remaining locations open. But the footprint has shrunk significantly, and more closures may follow. Global News reported that the company has warned it may shrink further as it prepares to seek a buyer for the business.
Which Stores Are Still Open?
As of March 2026, exactly 22 Toys "R" Us locations remain open across Canada. The closures have hit unevenly by region:
- British Columbia and Saskatchewan: No locations remain in either province.
- Western Canada overall: Only five stores are still open west of Ontario.
- Ontario: The majority of the surviving stores are here, though that number is still shrinking.
- Quebec, Alberta, and Manitoba: A handful of locations in each.
Specific stores currently winding down include the Newmarket (Upper Canada Mall) location, scheduled to close by March 31, 2026, and the St. Catharines store, which is already in active clearance mode. To check whether your local store is still operating, use the official store locator.
How Toys R Us Liquidation Discounts Work
When a store enters the Toys R Us liquidation phase, discounts typically roll out in tiers. Based on reports from closing Ontario locations, markdowns usually start at 10% to 30% off the lowest ticketed price.
As the final closing date approaches, those discounts climb higher. The catch: popular items (LEGO sets, Barbie Dreamhouses, current Nintendo Switch titles) tend to sell out during the 20-30% off window. Waiting for 70% off usually means picking through whatever is left, which is often obscure board games and off-brand toys. If you spot something you need for a birthday or holiday later this year, buying at the earlier discount tier is the safer move.
What Canadian Shoppers Need to Know Right Now
CCAA proceedings come with fine print that directly affects your wallet. Here are the key changes.
Gift Cards Are No Longer Accepted
The court-approved deadline to redeem Toys "R" Us Canada gift cards was February 16, 2026. That date has passed. Gift cards, including Babies "R" Us cards, are no longer accepted at any remaining location. Under the CCAA proceedings, any remaining balances are now classified as unsecured debt.
If you had a card you didn't get to use, there's unfortunately no recourse at this point.
All Sales Are Final at Liquidation Stores
At any store currently in liquidation or "active clearance" mode, the standard return policy is suspended. That means:
- No returns.
- No exchanges.
- No price adjustments if the discount deepens the following week.
Before you leave the store, check the box. Make sure all pieces are there, especially for larger sets, because once you walk out, the purchase is final.
R Rewards / R Club Status
The "R Club" loyalty program is still technically visible on the website, but its usefulness has dropped considerably. At stores operating under liquidation protocols, the standard 10% member discounts and point redemptions are often suspended at the register. If you're shopping at one of the 22 locations that isn't currently in clearance mode, you may still be able to use your perks, but it's worth confirming at the register before you count on it.
E-Commerce Is Suspended
The official ToysRUs.ca and BabiesRUs.ca sites are no longer accepting online orders. All shopping has to happen in person at one of the remaining 22 physical locations. This also means any flyer deals or promotions listed below are in-store only.
The Toys R Us Canada Sale Calendar (For Remaining Stores)
While the company restructures, the stores still operating are attempting to maintain some version of their traditional sale cycle. If the remaining 22 locations continue through 2026, here's what the typical schedule has looked like historically. Keep in mind that the CCAA process may alter or cancel any of these events.
When Does Toys R Us Have Sales?
| Time of Year | Event | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | Post-Holiday Clearance | Up to 70% off leftover holiday inventory. The deepest discounts of the year on seasonal items. |
| March/April | Spring Babyfest | "Buy More, Save More" deals on diapers, wipes, strollers, and car seats at Babies "R" Us sections. |
| May/June | Outdoor Play + Registry Events | Deals on swing sets, pools, outdoor toys, and baby registry promotions. |
| September | "R" Celebration (Geoffrey's Birthday) | Store-wide discounts and exclusive member offers. Historically one of the bigger annual events. |
| Late October | The Great Big Toy Book | Annual holiday catalog release that sets pricing for the season. A planning tool for parents. |
| Late November | Toys R Us Black Friday | Typically starts the Monday before Black Friday. Look for 50% off on brands like Nerf, Play-Doh, and Fisher-Price. |
| December 26 | Toys R Us Boxing Day Canada | "Half-Price" toy events and deep clearance to make room for spring inventory. |
| September/October | Fall Babyfest | Second round of babies r us canada deals on big-ticket baby items. |
Toys R Us Black Friday has historically been one of the strongest events for brand-name toys, and Boxing Day is typically the peak window for clearance shoppers looking for post-holiday markdowns. Whether these events happen in their usual form in 2026 depends on how the CCAA restructuring progresses.
Tips for Finding Toys R Us Clearance Canada Deals
Even outside of liquidation events, the remaining stores still follow markdown patterns that regular shoppers can take advantage of.
Look for Yellow Clearance Tags
In-store, the yellow tags are what you want. Clearance markdowns typically happen mid-week (Wednesday or Thursday). If a price tag ends in .98 or .88, that's usually a sign of a permanent markdown rather than a temporary sale price.
Price Matching Is Likely Suspended
In normal times, Toys "R" Us has matched prices from major Canadian retailers like Amazon.ca, Walmart, and Canadian Tire. During CCAA proceedings and liquidation events, price matching is almost always suspended. Don't count on being able to show a competitor's flyer for a lower price right now.
The Bottom Line
The days of an 80-store Toys "R" Us chain in Canada are over. For shoppers in B.C. and Saskatchewan, the stores are already gone. For everyone else, it depends on whether your nearest location is among the 22 still standing, and whether it's operating normally or running a final clearance. If you're near a liquidation site, the discounts are real, but go in with open eyes: all sales are final, gift cards are void, and the selection thins quickly. For the remaining stores that are still operating as usual, the traditional sale calendar may still apply through 2026, though nothing is guaranteed while the CCAA process plays out. The best approach for now is to check the store locator, watch the weekly flyer, and treat any good deal as one that might not be there next week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Toys R Us going out of business in Canada?
Not entirely, at least not yet. The company filed for CCAA creditor protection on February 3, 2026, which is a restructuring process, not a full shutdown. Twenty-two stores remain open, but the company has indicated it may close more locations as it looks for a buyer.
Can I buy toys online from Toys R Us Canada?
No. The ToysRUs.ca and BabiesRUs.ca e-commerce platforms were suspended following the February 2026 CCAA filing. All purchases must be made in person at one of the 22 remaining stores.
Are returns accepted at Toys R Us right now?
At stores in liquidation or active clearance mode, all sales are final with no returns, exchanges, or price adjustments. Stores not currently in clearance may still honour the standard return policy, but it's worth confirming before you buy.
When does Toys R Us have sales?
Historically, the biggest events are the September "R" Celebration, the late-October Great Big Toy Book release, Black Friday (usually starting the Monday before), and Boxing Day. Whether these events happen in their usual form in 2026 depends on the outcome of the CCAA restructuring.
