Following the settlement of a class-action lawsuit regarding alleged price fixing in the bread industry, Canadians can now begin the process to claim their portion of a $500-million settlement. Eligible Canadian residents who purchased various types of packaged bread between 2001 and 2021 can seek compensation from Loblaw Companies Limited and its parent company, George Weston Ltd.
Residents outside of Quebec as of December 31, 2021, can access claim forms on CanadianBreadSettlement.ca, while those in Quebec on that date can find forms on QuebecBreadSettlement.ca. The deadline for submitting claims is December 12, 2025.
Jay Strosberg, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, expressed his satisfaction with the settlement, anticipating a significant number of claims. He acknowledged that the process might take several months but emphasized that the wait will be worthwhile.
Overview of the Lawsuit
The class-action lawsuit accused Loblaw Companies Limited and George Weston of participating in a 14-year scheme to artificially inflate the price of bread between 2001 and 2015. The settlement offers two classes, one for all of Canada except Quebec and another specifically for Quebec residents.
The $500-million settlement, approved by Ontario Superior Court Judge Ed Morgan, includes $404 million to be paid by Loblaw and George Weston. An additional $96 million was allocated for a gift card program aimed at compensating customers who were affected by the price-fixing.
After receiving approval from the Superior Court of Quebec, the settlement entered into effect, allowing eligible individuals to submit their claims for compensation.
Strosberg highlighted the significance of this settlement, noting it as the largest price-fixing class action in Canadian history.
Continued Legal Actions
While Loblaw and George Weston have settled, other major grocers like Sobeys, Walmart, Giant Tiger, and Metro, accused in the price-fixing scandal, have not reached an agreement. Canada Bread, another defendant
