Case name:

Nationwide class action against Loblaw, George Weston, Canada Bread, Sobeys (IGA), Metro, Wal-Mart and Giant Tiger related to industry-wide price fixing for certain packaged bread products.

Quebec Superior Court file #:

500-06-000888-178

What this case is about:

The plaintiff alleges that the Defendants (Loblaw, George Weston, Canada Bread, Sobeys (IGA), Metro, Wal-Mart and Giant Tiger) participated in a 14-year industry-wide price fixing conspiracy leading to an artificial increase in packaged bread prices in Canada. On December 19, 2019, the Superior Court of Quebec authorized this class action. A copy of the authorization judgment is accessible here. On March 25, 2020, the Plaintiff filed his Originating Application (i.e. the class action lawsuit), a copy of which is accessible below. This class action seeks financial compensation for the damages suffered by class members as a result of the Defendants’ anti-competitive and unlawful activities.

Important Update:

$500 million Settlement reached with Loblaw and George Weston

On July 25, 2024, the Parties announced that they entered into binding minutes of settlement with George Weston and Loblaw to settle their involvement in nationwide class action lawsuits related to industry-wide price fixing for certain packaged bread products. A copy of the minutes of settlement and the press release are accessible below. On January 31, 2025, the Plaintiff signed the settlement agreement with George Weston and Loblaw, a copy of which is accessible below.

The $500 million settlement is the largest anti-trust settlement in Canadian history. The settlement is subject to Court approval. The parties have agreed to a settlement amount of $500 million that will involve a cash payment by George Weston and Loblaw of $404 million (the “Settlement Payment”), with $96 million having already been paid by Loblaw through the previously administered Loblaw Card program. The Settlement Payment, less court-approved expenses, will be distributed to eligible class members in accordance with a plan of distribution, to be approved by the Courts. If the settlement is approved, it will resolve all the Plaintiffs’ claims against Loblaw and George Weston relating to this matter.

Class counsel will now prepare for trial in the ongoing class actions against Canada Bread, Sobeys, Metro, Wal-Mart Canada, and Giant Tiger whom the Plaintiffs allege were also involved in the industry-wide conspiracy. In June 2023, Canada Bread was fined $50 million after it plead guilty to four counts of price-fixing related to packaged bread products under the Competition Act.

Class authorized:

Class:

All persons, partnerships and associations resident in Quebec who purchased at least one package of bread in between January 1, 2001 and December 19, 2019; The word “bread” in the class description means bread products and bread alternatives, produced or retailed by any of the Defendants, excluding bread frozen when sold and bread baked on-site in the establishment where it is retailed.

Quebec Settlement Class (Loblaw and George Weston Settlement only):

All persons, partnerships and associations resident in Québec who purchased at least one package of bread in between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2021; The word “bread” in the Class description means bread products and bread alternatives, produced or retailed by any of the Defendants, excluding bread frozen when sold and bread baked on-site in the establishment where it is retailed.

Remedies sought:

Compensatory damages for class members in amounts to be determined.

Status:

This class action was authorized by the Superior Court of Quebec on December 19, 2019. On July 25, 2024, Class Counsel announced that the Plaintiffs entered into binding minutes of settlement with Loblaw and George Weston. On January 31, 2025, the Plaintiffs and Loblaw/George Weston signed the Settlement Agreement accessible below. The Settlement approval hearing is scheduled on June 16, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in a room to be determined of the Montreal Courthouse (which will be posted here prior to the hearing). Copies of the Settlement, notices, and other relevant documents are accessible below.

The claims process will only commence if the Settlement is approved by the Court after the hearing of June 16, 2025. For any questions concerning the claims or distribution process, we invite you to contact the Settlement Administrator appointed by the Court via the settlement website: www.QuebecBreadSettlement.ca.