Consumers who purchased packaged bread from major Canadian grocery stores between 2001 and 2021 have until December 12 to participate in a $500 million class action settlement related to a bread price-fixing scheme. Claimants could receive a minimum of $50, with the potential for a higher payout depending on the number of claims submitted. The settlement, involving Loblaw and its parent company George Weston Ltd., is being administered by Verita.
To be eligible for a claim, individuals must have bought various types of packaged bread for personal use within the specified timeframe. There are separate online claim submission forms for residents of Quebec and the rest of Canada. Proof of purchase is not required, but claimants will need to provide details of their most recent bread purchase.
The settlement funds are expected to be distributed within six to 12 months after the deadline, either through direct deposit or by cheque. Additional payouts may occur if further settlements are reached as the class action lawsuit progresses. Information submitted during the claims process will be retained by administrators for auditing purposes and may lead to potential future settlements.
Concerns have been raised about fraudulent claims, particularly those submitted by bots. To combat this, administrators are utilizing advanced software to monitor claim submissions and ensure the legitimacy of claims. Despite challenges, individuals are encouraged to submit claims to receive compensation for the impact of the price-fixing scheme on the bread market.
Overall, the settlement presents an opportunity for affected Canadians to recoup some of the financial losses incurred due to the bread price-fixing scandal.