Eligible Canadians can now apply for compensation from settlement with Loblaw. Proof of purchase not required.

Canadians may now be eligible for compensation from a $500 million national settlement involving George Weston Limited and Loblaw Companies Limited. The companies have agreed to pay the amount as part of a class-action lawsuit over the alleged fixing of packaged bread prices sold across Canada between 2001 and 2021.

The settlement has been approved by the courts and includes a $404 million cash payment. This is in addition to the $96 million that Loblaw previously offered through its “Loblaw Card” program.

After legal and administrative costs are deducted, the remaining money will be divided among Canadians who bought packaged bread during the affected years. About 78% of the funds will go to eligible residents outside of Quebec, while 22% will go to eligible residents in Quebec.

Eligible Canadian residents who purchased Packaged Bread (including packaged bread products and bread alternatives, such as bagged bread, buns, rolls, bagels, naan bread, English muffins, wraps, pita and tortillas) for their personal use between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2021, inclusive, must submit a completed claim form by December 12, 2025 to claim compensation from the settlement. Proof of purchase is not required.

Persons resident anywhere in Canada outside of Quebec on December 31, 2021 who purchased Packaged Bread for their personal use between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2021 should go to www.CanadianBreadSettlement.ca for more information and to file a claim for compensation.

Persons resident in Quebec on December 31, 2021 who purchased Packaged Bread for their personal use between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2021 should go to www.QuebecBreadSettlement.ca for more information and to file a claim for compensation.

Individuals who previously received a $25 Loblaw card from the Loblaw Card Program may submit a claim for additional compensation, but they will only be paid an incremental amount above the value of the $25 Loblaw card they received if there are sufficient settlement funds available, and only if the incremental amount is more than the $5 minimum payment threshold set for the settlement.

The class actions continue against the remaining defendants, Canada Bread, Sobeys, Metro, Wal-Mart Canada and Giant Tiger.

Image by pb29 from Pixabay