Canadians can now apply for money from the bread-price fixing settlement

Eligible Canadians are now able to apply for money in a settlement related to alleged industry-wide price fixing of packaged bread.

A news release posted on the settlement website said Thursday that the claims process has begun for the national settlement that was reached with George Weston Limited and Loblaw Companies Limited.

The settlement provides $404 million in cash, minus court-approved expenses. Loblaw previously provided $96 million through an earlier card program.

“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 Jan. 1, 2001 and Dec. 31, 2021, inclusive, must submit a completed claim form by Dec. 12, 2025 to claim compensation from the settlement,” the release said.

Proof of purchase isn’t required.

READ MORE: $500 million payout in bread price-fixing lawsuits for Brampton-based Loblaw and parent company

“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 release noted.

The amount of money a person can receive depends on the net settlement funds, how many claims are approved and whether or not a person previously received a $25 Loblaw card, the claim website says.

It could take six to 12 months after the Dec. 12 filing deadline for the money to be sent out.

Payments will be sent by e-transfer or, if requested, by cheque. A cheque payment will result in $2 being deducted due to the cost of providing the cheque, the site says.

Seventy-eight per cent of the settlement funds are allocated for class members in Canada outside of Quebec, while the remaining 22 per cent is for those in Quebec, minus any court-approved expenses, the release said.

“We encourage Canadian consumers who purchased packaged bread to apply for compensation under the settlement,” said Jay Strosberg, the managing partner of Strosberg Wingfield Sasso LLP, which is one of two law firms involved.

“We have designed a claims process that is straightforward and easy for consumers to use.”

Claims can be made at www.CanadianBreadSettlement.ca for eligible residents outside of Quebec.

Eligible Quebec residents visit www.QuebecBreadSettlement.ca.

More information about the settlement and eligibility can be found on those websites.

Settlement funds for businesses in Canada that bought packaged bread for resale from 2001 to 2021 are being held in trust and will be distributed at a later date, the release said.

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