Recently, a big lawsuit was settled in Canada about bread prices. This settlement could mean money for many union retirees who bought bread over the past 20 years.
Some big bread companies, including Galen Westen’s, Loblaws, Metro, Sobeys, Walmart Canada, Canada Bread and Giant Tiger, were accused of working together to raise the prices of bread. This is called “price fixing,” and it’s illegal because it makes bread more expensive for you.
The companies agreed to pay $500 million to people who bought bread during that time. This is called a “class-action settlement,” which helps many people get compensation at once.
If you bought packaged bread (like sliced bread, buns, or rolls) from stores between 2001 and 2021, you might be able to get money.
People who bought bread in Canada, outside of Quebec, and still lived in Canada as of December 31, 2021, can make a claim. Residents of Quebec will have their own process later.
The settlement will offer an online website where you can submit a claim. If you kept receipts from your bread purchases, that might help. But if you don’t have receipts, you can still file a claim for smaller amounts, usually up to $25.
The exact amount you will get is not decided yet. It depends on how many people file claims and how much money is left after paying legal fees. Most people who buy bread for themselves could get up to $25.
This settlement means that people who paid too much for bread because of price fixing might soon receive some money back. It’s also a clear message to companies that they can’t cheat customers by fixing prices.
Read More: How you can get your dough in the $500M Loblaw bread-fixing settlement | CBC News
