Canadian consumers who purchased packaged bread between 2001 and 2021 have until December 12 to claim compensation from a $500-million class action settlement related to a bread price fixing scandal. The settlement is a result of a lawsuit filed by the law firm Strosberg Wingfield Sasso LLP against Loblaw and its parent company, George Weston Ltd. Claimants could receive a minimum of $50 each, with potential for higher payouts depending on the number of claims submitted.
To be eligible, individuals must have bought various types of packaged bread for personal consumption during the specified period. Claimants do not need to provide receipts but will be required to detail their most recent bread purchase. Residents of Quebec and the rest of Canada have separate online claims submission forms. There is no limit on the number of household members who can apply, provided they are at least 18 years old and resided in Canada at the end of 2021.
The settlement administrators have already received over 1.4 million claims, excluding those from Quebec. Payments are expected to be distributed within six to 12 months after the deadline, either via Interac e-transfer or by cheque. Further settlements may lead to additional payouts as the class action lawsuit continues. While other grocery retailers were named in the lawsuit, none are currently engaged in settlement discussions.
Personal information submitted as part of the claims process will be securely retained by the administrators for auditing and compliance purposes. Strosberg reassures claimants that their data will eventually be deleted. He also warns about the prevalence of fraudulent claims, particularly from bots, but emphasizes the administrators’ efforts to monitor and verify legitimate claims. Strosberg urges all eligible Canadians to apply for their share of the settlement, emphasizing the widespread impact of the bread price fixing scheme on households across the country.