As part of its ongoing restructuring under court protection, Hudson’s Bay Company ULC is preparing to formally change its legal name after selling its intellectual property to Canadian Tire Corporation. The move follows court approval of an asset sale agreement that includes the iconic Hudson’s Bay brand and associated trademarks.
The name change marks a major milestone in the wind-down of Hudson’s Bay’s historical corporate structure, even as the brand name itself continues under new ownership. The rebranding will be addressed at a hearing scheduled for June 23, 2025, before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List), as part of the retailer’s proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA).
Canadian Tire Acquired Brand Rights Through Court-Approved Agreement
On June 3, 2025, the court granted an Approval and Vesting Order (CTC AVO) authorizing the transfer of intellectual property and branding rights from Hudson’s Bay to Canadian Tire. The deal includes exclusive rights to use the names “Hudson’s Bay,” “The Bay,” “HBC,” and all related variants.
As a condition of the agreement, Hudson’s Bay and affiliated legal entities must change their corporate names within 45 days of closing, eliminating any risk of brand confusion with Canadian Tire’s newly acquired assets. The name change requirement was explicitly built into the CTC AVO and applies to entities involved in the restructuring process.
Four HBC Entities Will Undergo Corporate Rebranding
The motion filed by Hudson’s Bay on June 16, 2025, requests the court’s permission to file legal paperwork to change the names of the following four entities:
- Hudson’s Bay Company ULC
- The Bay Limited Partnership
- HBC YSS 1 LP Inc.
- HBC YSS 2 LP Inc.
The company is seeking court approval to execute and file articles of amendment or other required documents to complete the corporate name changes. These changes are considered essential for closing the transaction with Canadian Tire and progressing the broader wind-down strategy under the CCAA framework.
The new corporate names have not been disclosed, but under the agreement, they must be dissimilar to “Hudson’s Bay,” “The Bay,” “HBC,” and all similar branding identifiers.
In addition to the name changes, the applicants have also asked the court to revise the “style of cause” used in the CCAA proceedings. The style of cause is the formal heading of the legal matter, and it reflects the corporate names of the companies under court protection.
Once the new names are registered, all future filings, motions, and court documents will be updated to reflect the revised identities of the former Hudson’s Bay entities. This ensures legal and procedural consistency as the proceedings continue.
Name Change Reflects Strategic Separation of IP and Legal Entity
The corporate name change reflects a broader strategic separation between the now-sold Hudson’s Bay intellectual property and the legal entities being liquidated. While the legal shell of Hudson’s Bay Company ULC continues to exist for the purposes of managing creditor claims and asset recovery, the brand itself is now owned by Canadian Tire.
The Hudson’s Bay name will live on in Canadian retail, but it will no longer be associated with the corporate entities now being dissolved or restructured under the court’s supervision.
Legal Authority and Court Oversight
The June 23 motion relies on sections 11 and 36 of the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act, which grant the court broad discretion to approve corporate governance changes and facilitate transactions necessary for a successful restructuring. The name change is also tied directly to the closing mechanics of the Canadian Tire transaction, as outlined in the CTC AVO.
The court has also received notice that the name changes are time-sensitive, as they are required to occur within a fixed window after the asset sale’s completion.
What Happens Next
Assuming the motion is granted, the four listed entities will proceed to file articles of amendment with the appropriate corporate registries. The style of cause in the CCAA case will be updated accordingly, and Hudson’s Bay Company ULC—at least in name—will cease to exist.
The court is expected to continue overseeing other aspects of the restructuring, including pending motions related to lease assignments, asset liquidations, and creditor distributions.
While the name Hudson’s Bay will remain present in Canada’s retail landscape, its operating and legal future now lies firmly under the control of Canadian Tire—closing a historic chapter for an iconic institution.
Such a sad end. It didn’t need to happen. Stripped for parts and left to die
They had nothing left to offer. ancient products, out of touch marketing, it was for boomers and new folks don’t want that kinda style or brands. They didn’t evolve or tempt the new generations.
Insult to Boomers!!!!! I’m 74 and found HBC outdated before the Yanks took it over…so stop putting us in a bucket like we’re a bunch of dinosaurs. We’re more in tune with todays “happenings” than Millennial Sleepy Heads because MANY of us started with the “guts” of todays technology..we know how it works, not how important it is to take a “perfect”
selfie!!!!!!!
Canada is Bankrupt.
Lets spend billions on fighting war that are not ours and let’s bankrupt a 350 year old heritage company that needed 100 million loan to survive.
The government could have just bought them out.
The Bay workers are left with nearly nothing and that should be reported together.
That’s what happens when greedy sellers sell to Yankee Land!!!!!!!
How sad. Imagine some employees worked they 40 to 50myears to end up with nothing
Proposed names for the leftovers: Baker Bomb 1, Baker Bomb 2, Baker Bomb 3, Baker Bomb 4
Now in the hands of Canadian Tire to redneck it up. Thrilling.
Why even allow to keep the brand going after it bankrupt and closed all stores. This should be illegal. Canadian tires will be next on the list to close all stores mark this post. I would give it 5 years tops.