Canadian Packaged Bread Class Actions Settlement
Loblaw/Weston have agreed to settle their part in class action lawsuits in Ontario and Quebec related to alleged industry-wide overcharges on Packaged Bread purchased by Canadian residents across the country from 2001 to 2021. * Click the Pre-Approval Notice button to view details of the proposed settlement and your legal rights (See the Documents tab above for Notice in Cree, Inuktitut, and Ojibway).
Which class action am I included in?
Eligible Canadians across the country are encouraged to stay informed about the settlement and their legal rights. Where you reside determines which settlement class you may be in.
Eligible residents in any of these provinces/territories are part of the Ontario class action – stay on this website.
Eligible residents in Quebec are part of the Quebec class action – click HERE to go to the Quebec settlement website.
What you need to know
Key Settlement Details
Class actions alleging anticompetitive conduct resulting in overcharges for Packaged Bread (including pre-packaged bread and other bread alternatives) sold in Canada have been certified/authorized by the Courts in Ontario and Quebec for settlement purposes on behalf of all individuals and businesses resident in Canada who purchased Packaged Bread from 2001 to 2021.
If the Loblaw/Weston settlement is approved by the Courts, settlement class members will give Loblaw/Weston a full and final release and the settlement funds net of court-approved funder, administration and lawyers’ fees will be distributed as provided in the settlement Distribution Protocol.
The Distribution Protocol provides that individuals who purchased Packaged Bread for their personal use may claim compensation from the net settlement funds allocated for their benefit through a claims process that will be established. The amount of compensation will depend on the number of claims made that are approved.
The Distribution Protocol provides that the Courts will decide at a later time how the settlement funds allocated for the benefit of businesses/other purchasers of Packaged Bread for resale will be distributed.
What are my options?
Participate
If you are an individual or business resident anywhere in Canada except Quebec and you purchased Packaged Bread between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2021, inclusive, and wish to participate in the Loblaw/Weston settlement, you do not have to do anything to be included in the Ontario settlement class. If the settlement is approved, stay informed and we will contact you about next steps.
Opt-out / Object
If you wish to opt-out of the Ontario class action or object to the proposed settlement, the deadline is midnight PST on April 25, 2025. For more information and to find out how to exercise your rights, please click HERE.
Important Announcements
In a class action settlement, important dates typically include the deadline for opting out or objecting to the settlement, the date of the settlement approval hearing, and the date to file claims. Keep an eye on official communications for specific deadlines and further instructions.
Settlement Certification
The Courts in Ontario and Quebec have certified/authorized settlement classes for individuals and businesses resident in Canada who are purchasers of Packaged Bread sold in Canada from 2001 to 2021.
Opt-out/Object
The date for residents in all of Canada except Quebec to opt-out of the Ontario class action or object to the Loblaw/Weston settlement is midnight PST on April 25, 2025.
Ontario Settlement Approval Hearing
The Loblaw/Weston settlement must be approved by the Courts in Ontario and Quebec before it can become effective. The Settlement Approval Hearing in Ontario is scheduled for May 5, 2025.
Claims Process
If the Loblaw/Weston settlement is approved by the Courts, a further legal notice will be provided outlining next steps.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you get started. If you need more information or want to explore further, please click HERE.
Class actions on behalf of all residents in Canada alleging that certain manufacturers and retailers of Packaged Bread engaged in anticompetitive conduct resulting in overcharges for Packaged Bread sold in Canada from 2001 to 2021 have been authorized by the Quebec Court and certified by the Ontario Court for settlement purposes. The Courts have not yet made any decision on the merits of the claims or defences in either class action.
Packaged Bread means any and all packaged bread products and bread alternatives produced or distributed by any of the current or future defendants to the class actions, including but not limited to bagged bread, buns, rolls, bagels, naan bread, English muffins, wraps, pita and tortillas, but excluding bread frozen when sold and bread baked on-site in the establishment where it is retailed.
A national settlement has been reached to resolve the class action against Loblaw/Weston, subject to approval of the Courts, for $500 million ($96 million of which has already been paid through the Loblaw Card Program) and Loblaw/Weston’s cooperation in prosecuting the class action against the remaining non-settling defendants, in exchange for a full release of all claims in relation to Packaged Bread against Loblaw/Weston and a dismissal of the class actions against them.
The definition of the Loblaw/Weston settlement class for the Ontario class action is: All Persons resident anywhere in Canada except Quebec as of December 31, 2021, other than Excluded Persons (defendants and related parties), who between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2021, inclusive, purchased Packaged Bread, either directly or indirectly that was, produced or distributed by a defendant.
If you reside in the province of Quebec, please click HERE.
Participate:
If you are a potential member of the Ontario settlement class and you wish to participate in the Loblaw/Weston settlement, you do not need to do anything at this time. You can sign-up here to stay informed about next steps.
Opt Out:
If you are a potential member of the Ontario settlement class and you do not want to participate in the Ontario class action and Loblaw/Weston settlement, you must opt out now. By opting out, you will not be able to participate in the Ontario class action or make a claim for money from the Loblaw/Weston settlement, but you will maintain any right you have to begin or continue your own action against Loblaw/Weston.
The opt out deadline is April 25, 2025. To opt out, you must send a signed written opt out election to the Ontario Settlement Administrator Verita Global so it is received by midnight PST on April 25, 2025, at the latest. The written opt out election must include the information found HERE.
Mail: Ontario Packaged Bread Settlement Administrator
c/o Verita Global
P.O. Box 3355
London, ON N6A 4K3
Email: [email protected]
Object to or comment on the settlement:
If you do not wish to opt out of the Ontario settlement class but you wish to comment on or object to the Loblaw/Weston settlement, you must deliver a written submission to the Ontario Settlement Administrator, so it is received by midnight PST on April 25, 2025, at the latest. The written objection or comment must include the information found HERE.
Mail: Ontario Packaged Bread Settlement Administrator
c/o Verita Global
P.O. Box 3355
London, ON N6A 4K3
Email: [email protected]