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Ontario Judge Approves $500M Settlement in Bread Price-Fixing Case

Loblaw and George Weston to pay $404M in cash and $96M in gift cards after admitting to a 20-year price-fixing scheme.

A worker re-stocks shelves in the bakery and bread aisle at an Atlantic Superstore grocery in Halifax, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kelly Clark
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An Ontario judge has approved a settlement in a class-action lawsuit that accused Loblaw and its parent company George Weston Ltd. of engaging in an industry-wide scheme to fix the price of bread.

Overview

  • The $500-million settlement resolves a class-action lawsuit accusing Loblaw and George Weston of fixing bread prices from 2001 to 2021.
  • Judge Ed Morgan described the settlement as 'excellent, fair and in the best interest of class members.'
  • Eligible claimants include individuals or businesses that purchased packaged bread for personal use or resale during the 20-year period.
  • Settlement funds will be allocated with 78% going to residents outside Quebec and 22% to Quebec residents after legal fees and expenses.
  • The settlement includes $404 million in payments and $96 million in gift cards issued through a program launched by Loblaw in 2017.