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National Post
2 days ago
- Business
- National Post
How to get your slice of the $500-million bread-fixing class-action settlement
Canadians who bought packaged bread in the past two decades may be eligible for a cash payout from a $500-million bread-fixing class action settlement. Article content Article content Earlier this month, the Ontario Superior Court approved the national settlement of a lawsuit that accused Loblaw Cos. Ltd. and its parent company, George Weston Ltd., of participating in an industry-wide scheme to fix the price of bread. Article content The Quebec Superior Court still needs to approve a second agreement applicable to residents of that province, during its next hearing on June 16. Article content Seventy-eight per cent of the funds are allocated to the Ontario class (covering all of Canada except Quebec), and 22 per cent to the Quebec class. Article content Eligible bread includes most packaged bread products found in grocery store aisles (e.g., sliced sandwich bread, buns, rolls). Article content Eligible claimants include individuals or businesses who purchased packaged bread, produced or distributed by one of the defendants, in Canada between Jan. 1, 2001 and Dec. 31, 2021. Article content Claimants to the Ontario settlement who bought the product for personal use must have resided in Canada (excluding Quebec) as of Dec. 31, 2021. Article content A claimant who received a $25 Loblaw gift card in 2018–2019 will still be eligible, but the gift card amount will be deducted from any payout. Article content Article content If you do not have receipts, you can still file a claim. The settlement does not require proof of purchase for claims up to a certain amount (typically $25), but you may be asked to provide details about where and when you usually bought bread.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Here's how to get a slice of the bread-fixing payout
A worker re-stocks shelves in the bakery and bread aisle at an Atlantic Superstore grocery in Halifax on Jan. 28, 2022. (Kelly Clark / The Canadian Press) Canadians who have purchased bread in the past two decades may receive cash from two class actions involving major grocery companies accused of overcharging. For the Loblaw/Weston settlement to take effect, both courts in Ontario and Quebec must approve it. The Ontario Superior Court on May 7 approved a $500-million settlement to a lawsuit that accused Loblaw Cos. Ltd. and its parent company, George Weston Ltd., of participating in an industry-wide scheme to fix the price of bread. Meanwhile, the Quebec Superior Court will still need to approve the second agreement, its next hearing scheduled June 16, in order for the settlement to activate. 'This ($500-million national) settlement is not an admission by Loblaw/Weston of liability, fault, or wrongdoing, but is a compromise of disputed claims,' according to a Quebec settlement notice online. The notice states that if the settlement in both class actions is approved, 78 per cent of the funds will go towards the Ontario claims affecting residents in most of the country and 22 per cent will be allocated to the Quebec claims. The settlement will be distributed once legal fees, administration and other expenses, approved by the courts, are paid. Who is eligible for the payout? Eligible individuals and businesses are automatically included in the Ontario Loblaw/Weston settlement class action. Those who may receive the payouts include individuals or businesses who purchased packaged bread produced or distributed by one of the defendants, either directly or indirectly, in Canada between Jan. 1, 2001 and Dec. 31, 2021, and who didn't receive a Loblaw gift card as part of a 2018-19 campaign to compensate customers who paid about $1.50 more per loaf of bread. Additionally, eligible people who bought the product for personal use must have resided anywhere in Canada, except Quebec, as of Dec. 31, 2021. Defendants in the lawsuits and related parties are excluded. Justin Smith, a lawyer at Strosberg Wingfield Sasso LLP based out of the firm's Windsor offices, is involved with the Ontario class action. In an interview with on Wednesday, he says the courts will decide later on how settlement funds reserved for businesses that resold packaged bread will be distributed. The eligible packaged bread includes products and bread alternatives produced by, or distributed by, any of the 'current or future defendants' in the class actions, excluding bread that is frozen when sold and bread baked on site, according to the Ontario class action website. The amount received per person will depend on factors such as the number of claims made that are approved. The Quebec class action is similar to the Ontario claims, but it only includes residents of Quebec who bought at least one package of bread from Jan. 1, 2001 to Dec. 19, 2019. Check out more information and sign up for updates about next steps by visiting the following websites: How do I make a claim? Eligible people don't have to do anything yet to be part of the Ontario national claim, and the deadline to opt out of or object to this approved settlement already passed on April 25. Similarly, those eligible are automatically included in the Quebec claim, but can opt out of or object to it until May 30. The claims process is still to be determined in both cases. A legal notice or claim forms will be provided once the settlement is approved by both courts in Ontario and Quebec. What's next? An Ontario court approved the Loblaw-Weston settlement on May 7, with an appeal period of 30 days. If the settlement is approved in Quebec, 'it will resolve all claims against Loblaw and Weston relating to this matter,' according to a press release from March 11 by Strosberg Wingfield Sasso LLP and Orr Taylor LLP. After the settlement's approval, and if there are no appeals in Ontario and Quebec, the process of distributing the funds will begin, according to Smith. However, if the Quebec court rejects the settlement next month, it will become 'null and void' in Ontario, and Loblaw and its parent George Weston will remain defendants in the class actions, according to Smith. In case there is a rejection, Smith says the remaining $404 million in settlement cash would go back to the companies, but the gift card program money totalling $96 million that was already distributed won't be returned. Smith adds if it's approved in both Ontario and Quebec, the settlement agreement would allow lawyers access to information for use in the case against the remaining defendants Canada Bread, Sobeys, Metro, Wal-Mart Canada and Giant Tiger. Regardless of the outcome in Quebec, he said the cases against the non-settling defendants will continue. 'The expectation is that this will result in further significant monetary recovery for Canadians,' Jim Orr, partner at Orr Taylor LLP, said in a statement in the March 11 press release. With files from The Canadian Press
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Here's how to get a slice of the bread-fixing payout
A worker re-stocks shelves in the bakery and bread aisle at an Atlantic Superstore grocery in Halifax on Jan. 28, 2022. (Kelly Clark / The Canadian Press) Canadians who have purchased bread in the past two decades may receive cash from two class actions involving major grocery companies accused of overcharging. For the Loblaw/Weston settlement to take effect, both courts in Ontario and Quebec must approve it. The Ontario Superior Court on May 7 approved a $500-million settlement to a lawsuit that accused Loblaw Cos. Ltd. and its parent company, George Weston Ltd., of participating in an industry-wide scheme to fix the price of bread. Meanwhile, the Quebec Superior Court will still need to approve the second agreement, its next hearing scheduled June 16, in order for the settlement to activate. 'This ($500-million national) settlement is not an admission by Loblaw/Weston of liability, fault, or wrongdoing, but is a compromise of disputed claims,' according to a Quebec settlement notice online. The notice states that if the settlement in both class actions is approved, 78 per cent of the funds will go towards the Ontario claims affecting residents in most of the country and 22 per cent will be allocated to the Quebec claims. The settlement will be distributed once legal fees, administration and other expenses, approved by the courts, are paid. Who is eligible for the payout? Eligible individuals and businesses are automatically included in the Ontario Loblaw/Weston settlement class action. Those who may receive the payouts include individuals or businesses who purchased packaged bread produced or distributed by one of the defendants, either directly or indirectly, in Canada between Jan. 1, 2001 and Dec. 31, 2021, and who didn't receive a Loblaw gift card as part of a 2018-2019 campaign to compensate customers who paid about $1.50 more per loaf of bread. Additionally, eligible people must have resided anywhere in Canada, except Quebec, as of Dec. 31, 2021. Defendants in the lawsuits and related parties are excluded. The eligible packaged bread includes products and bread alternatives produced by or distributed by any of the 'current or future defendants' in the class actions, excluding bread that is frozen when sold and bread baked on site, according to the Ontario class action website. The amount received per person will depend on the number of claims made that are approved. The Quebec class action is similar to the Ontario claims, but it only includes residents of Quebec who bought at least one package of bread from Jan. 1, 2001 to Dec. 19, 2019. Check out more information and sign up for updates about next steps by visiting the following websites: How do I make a claim? You don't have to do anything yet to be part of the Ontario claim and the deadline to opt out of or object to this approved settlement already passed on April 25. Similarly, you are automatically included in the Quebec claim, but if you want to opt out of or object to it, you have until May 30 to do so. The claims process is still to be determined in both cases. A legal notice or claim forms will be provided once the settlement is approved by both courts in Ontario and Quebec. With files from The Canadian Press
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Can you get a slice of the bread-fixing payout? Here's how to find out
A worker re-stocks shelves in the bakery and bread aisle at an Atlantic Superstore grocery in Halifax on Jan. 28, 2022. (Kelly Clark / The Canadian Press) Canadians who have purchased bread in the past two decades may receive cash from two class actions involving major grocery companies accused of overcharging. For the Loblaw/Weston settlement to take effect, both courts in Ontario and Quebec must approve it. The Ontario Superior Court on May 7 approved a $500-million settlement to a lawsuit that accused Loblaw Cos. Ltd. and its parent company, George Weston Ltd., of participating in an industry-wide scheme to fix the price of bread. Meanwhile, the Quebec Superior Court will still need to approve the second agreement, its next hearing scheduled June 16, in order for the settlement to activate. 'This ($500-million national) settlement is not an admission by Loblaw/Weston of liability, fault, or wrongdoing, but is a compromise of disputed claims,' according to a Quebec settlement notice online. The notice states that if the settlement in both class actions is approved, 78 per cent of the funds will go towards the Ontario claims affecting residents in most of the country and 22 per cent will be allocated to the Quebec claims. The settlement will be distributed once legal fees, administration and other expenses, approved by the courts, are paid. Who is eligible for the payout? Eligible individuals and businesses are automatically included in the Ontario Loblaw/Weston settlement class action. Those who may receive the payouts include individuals or businesses who purchased packaged bread produced or distributed by one of the defendants, either directly or indirectly, in Canada between Jan. 1, 2001 and Dec. 31, 2021, and who didn't receive a Loblaw gift card as part of a 2018-2019 campaign to compensate customers who paid about $1.50 more per loaf of bread. Additionally, eligible people must have resided anywhere in Canada, except Quebec, as of Dec. 31, 2021. Defendants in the lawsuits and related parties are excluded. The eligible packaged bread includes products and bread alternatives produced by or distributed by any of the 'current or future defendants' in the class actions, excluding bread that is frozen when sold and bread baked on site, according to the Ontario class action website. The amount received per person will depend on the number of claims made that are approved. The Quebec class action is similar to the Ontario claims, but it only includes residents of Quebec who bought at least one package of bread from Jan. 1, 2001 to Dec. 19, 2019. Check out more information and sign up for updates about next steps by visiting the following websites: How do I make a claim? You don't have to do anything yet to be part of the Ontario claim and the deadline to opt out of or object to this approved settlement already passed on April 25. Similarly, you are automatically included in the Quebec claim, but if you want to opt out of or object to it, you have until May 30 to do so. The claims process is still to be determined in both cases. A legal notice or claim forms will be provided once the settlement is approved by both courts in Ontario and Quebec. With files from The Canadian Press
CBC
5 days ago
- Business
- CBC
How you can get your dough in the $500M Loblaw bread-fixing settlement
Social Sharing Have you bought bread in the past 20 years? Then you're probably included in what's being called the "largest settlement of a price-fixing case in Canadian history." A $500-million settlement in the long-running Loblaw bread-fixing case was approved by Ontario Superior Court Judge Ed Morgan on May 7, saying the money put forward by the grocery companies was "an excellent and fair result for all concerned." The class-action lawsuit accused Loblaw Companies Limited and its parent company, George Weston, of engaging in an industry-wide scheme to fix the price of bread. The plaintiffs alleged companies participated in a 14-year industry-wide price-fixing conspiracy between 2001 and 2015, leading to an artificial increase in packaged bread prices. Jay Strosberg, a lawyer representing plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit, told CBC's Hanomansing Tonight Monday that the sheer size of the settlement is significant, as well of the scope in terms of how many people were affected. "We're talking about almost everyone in the country who is probably impacted by this conspiracy," Strosberg said. WATCH | The largest settlement in history, says bread-fixing lawyer: Loblaw bread-fixing case 'largest settlement' in Canadian history, says lawyer | Hanomansing Tonight 17 hours ago Duration 6:04 How do I know if I'm eligible? There are two settlement classes: one in Ontario, for all of Canada outside Quebec, and one in Quebec for Quebec residents only. To be eligible in this current settlement, you must be a Canadian resident outside of Quebec who purchased packaged bread between Jan. 1, 2001, and Dec. 31, 2021, that was produced or distributed by a defendant (Loblaw and its parent company), according to the official bread settlement website. To be eligible for the Quebec class action you must be a resident in Quebec who purchased at least one package of bread between Jan. 1, 2001, and Dec. 31, 2021. The Ontario settlement was approved May 7. A Quebec court will hear arguments around whether to accept the Loblaw and George Weston settlement on June 16. While the price-fixing allegations targeted other major grocers, including Sobeys, Walmart, Giant Tiger and Metro, only Loblaw and its parent company have agreed to a settlement. The others have denied the allegations. Canada Bread, which is also named as a defendant, was fined $50 million in June 2023 after pleading guilty to four counts of price-fixing bread products under the Competition Act. But that fine went to the government, not to consumers. WATCH | Breaking down Canada Bread's role: Breaking down the Canada Bread price-fixing scandal | About That 2 years ago Duration 10:35 Do I have to do anything? If you bought bread in the last 20 years, you're automatically included in the settlement classes. The date to opt out of the Ontario settlement has already passed. If you wish to opt out of the Quebec settlement, you have until May 30. But you'll eventually have to register on one of the Canadian bread settlement websites to make an official claim, Strosberg explained (which you can only do once the settlements have been approved). As of Tuesday, the Ontario website notes the claims process is still being determined. Do I need my receipts? For 20 years of bread? The May 7 settlement documents don't mention receipts anywhere under the section on the rules of consumer distribution of the funds. The documents note consumers over the age of 18 will have to submit a claim and provide "information and/or documentation as may be required." In previous interviews, lawyers for the plaintiffs have explained that people can't be expected to hold onto receipts for so long and therefore won't need to provide that kind of proof. Previously, Strosberg has said he expects consumers will need to fill in a one-page form to declare they bought packaged bread. On Monday, Strosberg agreed with host Ian Hanomansing saying, "Obviously, I won't need receipts," by answering, "Correct." What's in the settlement? The approved settlement includes a combined $404 million to be paid by Loblaw and George Weston. The remaining $96 million is accounted for through a gift card program Loblaw began in 2018 and ran through 2019 in hopes of making amends with customers who paid about $1.50 more per loaf of bread. Once legal fees and other court expenses are paid, 78 per cent of the funds will be allocated to shoppers in the Ontario settlement with the remaining amount headed for people in Quebec. What could I get? It depends how many people come forward and how many claims are approved, explains Strosberg. "If one million people come forward, they're going to get more. But if 25 million people come forward, they might get less," he said. Customers who bought bread between January 2001 and December 2021 and did not previously take a gift card from Loblaw will eventually receive up to $25, according to The Canadian Press. If there is still money left over after that distribution, funds will be divided among anyone who claimed the gift card. Sorry, what about the gift cards? Loblaw started offering $25 gift cards in 2018 after admitting its role in the bread price-fixing scandal. At the time, Loblaw had stated that it expected to subtract $25 from any potential settlement payments to class action members who also got a gift card. And it appears that's how it's playing out. According to the class action website, the $25 benefit previously claimed by some individuals under the Loblaw Card Program will be deducted from any compensation payable to them under the settlement. What's the next step? Now that the Ontario class action has been approved, you can register for more information on next steps on the Ontario settlement website. You can register to stay updated on the Quebec settlement on the class counsel's website (scroll to the bottom). If the settlement is approved on June 16, the class counsel will email anyone who registered with instructions on how to register. It, too, will be done on the Quebec bread class-action website. Once people are registered by the deadline (not yet determined), and we learn how many people apply, people will learn how much they might get, Strosberg said.
