If you have filed a claim in the lawsuit related to the bread price fixing scandal, your money is now being distributed. The payment process for approved Canadian claims has commenced under the supervision of Verita, an independent administrator for the settlement. Due to the large number of valid claims, payments are being processed gradually, as mentioned on the settlement website.
The Competition Bureau initiated an investigation into the issue in 2016, leading to admissions by Weston Foods and Loblaw that they were involved in an industry-wide price-fixing scheme. This scheme allegedly inflated the cost of a loaf of bread by $1.50. In 2024, Loblaw and its parent company, George Weston Ltd., agreed to pay $500 million to resolve the class-action lawsuit.
Residents of Canada who purchased bread for personal consumption between 2001 and 2021 were eligible to seek a portion of the settlement funds without the need for proof of purchase. The deadline for submissions was December 12 of the previous year.
The payout amount varies depending on whether claimants had previously received a $25 card from the Loblaw Card Program, issued in 2018 to compensate for their involvement in the scheme. Those who did not receive the card will be compensated $49.11, while those who did will receive $24.11, according to the settlement website.
Claimants will receive their funds through either Interac e-transfer or by cheque, based on their chosen method during the claim submission. Verita’s platform cautions claimants to remain vigilant against fraudulent activities, as some Canadians have reported receiving misleading messages concerning the settlements. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre disclosed receiving nine reports of phishing text messages in March connected to the settlement, requesting personal details like name, address, date of birth, and financial information.
To ensure authenticity, legitimate e-transfer emails will only originate from notify@payments.interac.ca, as highlighted on the claim website. Claimants are advised not to engage with suspicious text messages or click on any provided links claiming to be from Verita.
