If you have filed a claim in the class-action settlement concerning the long-standing bread price fixing scheme, your money is en route. The payment distribution for Canadian claimants with approved claims commenced recently, managed by Verita, an independent administrator overseeing the settlement process. Due to the substantial number of approved claims, payments are being disbursed gradually, as stated on the settlement website.
In 2016, the Competition Bureau initiated an investigation into the issue, leading to admissions from Weston Foods and Loblaw about their involvement in an “industry-wide price-fixing arrangement” that allegedly inflated the cost of a loaf of bread by $1.50. In 2024, Loblaw and its parent company, George Weston Ltd., agreed to a $500 million settlement for the class-action lawsuit.
Individuals residing in Canada who purchased bread for personal consumption between 2001 and 2021 were eligible to claim a portion of the settlement funds without needing proof of purchase. The deadline for submitting claims was December 12 of the previous year.
The payout amount varies based on whether claimants had previously received a $25 card from the Loblaw Card Program, which was issued in 2018 to compensate for their involvement in the scheme. Those who did not receive a gift card will receive $49.11, while recipients of the card will get $24.11, according to the settlement site.
Claimants will receive their funds through either Interac e-transfer or cheque, depending on their chosen method during the claim submission. Verita’s website cautions claimants to beware of fraud attempts, as some Canadians have reported receiving fraudulent messages related to the payouts. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reported nine instances of phishing text messages in March requesting personal information such as name, address, date of birth, and credit or debit card details.
Legitimate e-transfer emails related to the settlement will only be sent from notify@payments.interac.ca, as per the claim website’s instructions. Claimants are advised not to engage with messages purporting to be from Verita, urging them not to click on any links or respond to such texts.