Have You Applied for Your Share of a $500 Million Settlement?

If you are an adult living in Canada (in any province) for at least the past six months, you may be eligible to claim your share of a $500 million settlement involving grocery chains accused of fixing the price of bread. While the individual payouts are likely to be small, participating is a way to stand up for what is right and assert your rights. Read on to learn more about the settlement and how to apply as a claimant (you’ll find the application link at the end of this article).

Background: Launched in December 2019, this lawsuit charged Loblaw Companies Ltd. and its parent company, George Weston Ltd., with participating in a widespread scheme to fix the price of bread in their stores. According to the lawsuit, these practices occurred for over 20 years, from 2001 to 2021. An Ontario Superior Court judge approved the settlement in May.

Application Deadline: Friday, December 12, 2025.

The settlement agreement includes $404 million to be paid by Loblaw and George Weston, while the remaining $96 million is accounted for through a gift card program Loblaw initiated in 2018 to compensate customers who were overcharged for bread.

The law firm Strosberg Wingfield Sasso LLP, which is managing the settlement, has announced that Canadians do not need to provide proof of purchasing packaged bread products from Loblaw stores during the relevant time period; the firm will “take everybody at their word.”

It is still unclear how much each claimant will receive, as the payout amount depends on the total number of applicants. Strosberg has stated they are working diligently to filter out fraudulent claims.

“Once we sort through all of that, we’ll have a better idea, but we’re forecasting each payout to be between $50 and $75,” the firm stated.

Other major Canadian grocery chains, including Metro, Sobeys, Walmart, Canada Bread, and Giant Tiger, have also been accused of price-fixing during the period in question, but they have all denied any wrongdoing.

When asked what it would take for those companies to offer similar compensation packages for affected customers, Strosberg noted that Loblaw “is just one company that has come forward” to make amends, which is commendable. However, the firm has warned that, early next year, with Loblaw’s cooperation, they plan to pursue the other alleged defendants (Metro, Sobeys, etc.) to ensure they are held accountable.

Link to Apply for Compensation: https://www.canadianbreadsettlement.ca/