A worker stocks shelves in the bakery and pastry section of an Atlantic Superstore in Halifax on January 28, 2022. (Photo by Kelly Clark/The Canadian Press)

Canadians who have purchased bread in the past 20 years may be eligible for cash payments under two class-action lawsuits against major grocery companies accused of overcharging for bread.

For the Loblaw and Weston settlements to be enforceable, both Ontario and Quebec courts must approve them.

The Ontario Supreme Court on May 7 approved a $500-million settlement in a case that accused Loblaw Cos. Ltd. and its parent company George Weston Ltd. of industry-wide bread price fixing.

Meanwhile, the Quebec Supreme Court still has to approve the second settlement, with its next hearing scheduled for June 16, when the settlement, if approved, could become final.

According to Quebec’s official announcement, the $500 million settlement does not constitute an admission of liability, wrongdoing or negligence on the part of Loblaw/Weston, but is merely an agreement to end the claims.

If the settlement is approved by both courts, 78% of the amount will be allocated to the Ontario claims (which include residents of most of Canada) and 22% to the Quebec claims. This amount will be distributed to eligible claimants after deducting legal, administrative and other costs that are approved by the court.

Who is eligible to receive the money?

Individuals and businesses that purchased, directly or indirectly, packaged bread manufactured or distributed by one of the companies accused in the case in Canada between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2021, and did not participate in Loblaw’s $25 gift card program that was held in 2018-2019 will be eligible to receive the compensation.

Eligible individuals must also have resided in Canada (excluding the province of Quebec) as of December 31, 2021. Defendants and their affiliates are excluded from this plan.

Eligible breads include packaged breads and bread substitute products manufactured or distributed by current or future defendants in these lawsuits. This does not include breads frozen at the time of sale or breads baked on-site.

The amount each person will receive depends on the total number of approved claims.

The Quebec case is similar to the Ontario case, except that it only includes Quebec residents who purchased at least one package of bread between January 1, 2001 and December 19, 2019.

How do I file a claim?

There is currently no action required to participate in the Ontario case, and the deadline to opt out or object to the settlement is April 25.

In the Quebec case, individuals are automatically eligible, but have until May 30 to opt out or object.

The process for filing an application to receive the share has not yet been announced, and official notices and application forms will be made available once the agreement is finally approved by both courts.

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