TBR stands for "To Be Released". When a dot-ca domain is not renewed during the suspension and redemption periods, it is “deleted’” and becomes TBR(To Be Released). The domain names in TBR status become available for registration during a "special registration session" every Wednesday.
Due to high demand for TBR domains, CIRA holds a special registration session before returning them to the pool of available domains. We have partnered with our affiliate registrars to submit registration requests as soon as the special registration session opens, significantly increasing the chances of registering a domain name before it becomes available to the public.
The TBR (To-Be-Released) service operates under a two-stage process intended to reward early participants while maintaining a fair and transparent auction mechanism.
Stage 1 - Pre-Order
During Stage 1, users may submit a pre-order bid for a domain name prior to the official CIRA TBR registration session.
Pre-orders must be placed using one of the pre-defined bid levels.
The deadline to participate in Stage 1 is 1:00 PM on the Wednesday the applicable CIRA TBR session occurs.
Notice:
Participation in Stage 1 does not guarantee successful domain registration. Any credit described herein applies only if the domain is successfully registered, proceeds to Stage 2 and you are the winner of auction.
The CIRA special TBR registration session takes place every Wednesday at 2:00 PM EST or 3:00 PM EDT.
If the domain is successfully registered during this session, it will move to Stage 2 (Public Auction) within a reasonable period of time.
Users who place a valid Stage 1 pre-order and win the domain in stage 2 will receive a credit toward the final auction price equal to
50% of the Stage 1 pre-order amount or 20% of the final Stage 2 auction winning price,
whichever amount is greater.
This structure allows the Stage 2 auction to open at the full Stage 1 bid amount (plus applicable increment) which sets a higher auction entry point for non stage 1 participants.
Higher pre-order amounts will result in increased allocation of CIRA connections toward attempted domain registration and success rate.
Users may increase their Stage 1 pre-order amount at any time prior to the commencement of Stage 2 public auction by contacting us.
Stage 2 - Public Auction
Stage 2 consists of an open, public auction for any domain successfully registered through our TBR process.
Participation is open to all users.
The opening bid is the highest valid bid received during Stage 1 plus applicable bid increment.
In the event of identical Stage 1 bids, priority is assigned to the earliest valid pre-order submitted.
The Stage 2 auction allows proxy bidding. The auction winning bid is determined by competing bids as per the auction rules. You should monitor the auction
since email or SMS notifications may be delayed and not received immediately.
End of Bidding
Following the conclusion of Stage 2, winning bids and applicable credits are reconciled and exact HST/GST will be calculated. Once payment is processed,
the successful bidder is notified electronically, and the domain is assigned within fourteen (14) days,
subject to registry and administrative processing.
There are no hidden fees. Charges apply only to domains that are successfully registered and awarded to the user. Submission of a Stage 1 pre-order does not obligate payment unless the domain is successfully registered and awarded. No guarantee is made regarding domain availability, successful registration, or auction outcome.
Effective pricing starts at: $30 CAD (see examples below)
Example 1: You place a pre-order at $60 and are the only user to do so. Stage 2 auction starts at $80. No one participates in Stage 2 public auction.
You receive a $30 credit (higher of 60 x 0.50 and 60 x 0.20). Your final cost: $30 (60 minus 30)
Example 2: You place a pre-order at $300, making you the highest bidder in Stage 1. Stage 2 auction starts at $320. Since no one else participates in Stage 2, you win. You
receive a $150 credit (higher of 300 x 0.50 and 300 x 0.20). Your final cost: $150 (300 minus 150)
Example 3: You place a pre-order at $1000. Stage 2 auction starts at $1050 and you win the stage 2 auction at $1500 by competing with other participants. You receive a $500
credit (higher of 1000 x 0.50 and 1500 x 0.20). Your final cost: $1000 (1500 minus 500)
Example 4: You place a pre-order at $200. Stage 2 auction starts at $220 and you win the Stage 2 auction at $1500. You receive a $300 credit
(higher of 200 x 0.50 and 1500 x 0.20). Your final cost: $1200 (1500 minus 300)
Example 5: You place a pre-order at $60. Stage 2 auction starts at $80 and you win the Stage 2 auction at $600. You receive a $120 credit
(higher of 60 x 0.50 and 600 x 0.20). Your final cost: $480 (600 minus 120)
While we cannot guarantee a successful domain registration, placing a reservation is risk-free. There are no hidden fees and you will only pay if the domain is successfully registered and awarded to you.
