Payments for approved claims in a Canadian bread price-fixing class action began recently and are being issued on a rolling basis due to a high number of approved claims. The Competition Bureau investigated the scheme starting in 2016. Weston Foods and Loblaw admitted participating in an industry-wide price-fixing arrangement that added $1.50 to the price of a load of bread. Loblaw and George Weston Ltd. agreed in 2024 to pay $500 million to settle the lawsuit. Eligible claimants were people in Canada who bought bread for personal use between 2001 and 2021, with no proof of purchase required. Claim amounts depend on whether a $25 Loblaw Card Program gift card was previously received, with different payout amounts for those who did and did not. Claimants receive payments by Interac e-transfer or cheque, and fraud warnings have been issued due to bogus payout messages reported to authorities.
"The payout process for Canadians whose claims were approved began last week, according to Verita, an independent administrator for the settlement. Because of the high number of approved claims, the settlement website says payments are being issued on a rolling basis. Claimants will either receive their money by Interac e-transfer or cheque, depending on which method they selected when making the claim."
"The Competition Bureau began investigating the matter in 2016, and Weston Foods and Loblaw have admitted that they participated in an "industry-wide price-fixing arrangement" which the bureau alleged added $1.50 to the price of a load of bread. Loblaw and its parent company George Weston Ltd. agreed in 2024 to pay $500 million to settle the class-action lawsuit."
"Anyone who lived in Canada who bought bread for personal use between 2001 and 2021 was eligible to apply for a share of the settlement money, and no proof of purchase was necessary. Claimants had until Dec. 12 of last year to apply. The amount received will depend on whether claimants previously received a $25 card from the Loblaw Card Program, which it paid out in 2018 to make amends for its role in the scheme."
"Verita's website also warns claimants to be wary of fraud, as bogus messages related to the payouts have been sent to some Canadians. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre told CBC News in March it had received nine reports"
#class-action-settlement #bread-price-fixing #competition-bureau #consumer-compensation #fraud-prevention
Read at www.cbc.ca
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