If you have filed a claim in the settlement related to a prolonged bread price fixing conspiracy, your money is now being distributed. The payout process for eligible Canadians began recently, managed by Verita, an independent administrator overseeing the settlement. Due to the large number of approved claims, payments are being processed continuously, as stated on the settlement website.
The Competition Bureau initiated an investigation in 2016, leading to admissions from Weston Foods and Loblaw that they were involved in an industry-wide price-fixing agreement. This scheme was alleged to have increased the cost of a loaf of bread by $1.50. In 2024, Loblaw and its parent company, George Weston Ltd., agreed to pay $500 million to resolve the class-action lawsuit.
Residents of Canada who purchased bread for personal use between 2001 and 2021 were eligible to apply for a portion of the settlement funds without needing to provide proof of purchase. The deadline for claim submissions was December 12 of the previous year.
The amount individuals receive will vary based on whether they previously received a $25 card from the Loblaw Card Program in 2018, which was issued as part of the restitution for their involvement in the price-fixing scandal. Those who did not receive the gift card will receive $49.11, while those who did will receive $24.11, according to the settlement website.
Recipients will receive their funds through Interac e-transfer or by cheque, depending on their chosen payment method during the claim process. Verita’s website advises caution against fraudulent activities, noting that some Canadians have received deceptive messages related to the payouts. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reported nine instances of phishing text messages in March, all requesting personal information like name, address, date of birth, and credit or debit card details.
The claim website highlights that legitimate e-transfer emails will solely originate from notify@payments.interac.ca. It emphasizes that no communications or payments will be sent via text, cautioning claimants against clicking links or responding to messages purporting to be from Verita.