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.

The $500 million settlement is the largest anti-trust settlement in Canadian history. The settlement is subject to finalizing a formal settlement agreement between the parties and 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. Further details will be available when Court approval is sought, which will be before the end of the year.

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:

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.

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 Plaintiff entered into binding minutes of settlement with Loblaw and George Weston. The pre-approval notices, including the settlement approval hearing date, time and location will be posted here once confirmed.