After Loblaw’s $500M Settlement, Four Defendants Are Still Fighting the Bread Price-Fixing Case

In March 2015, Loblaw reported its involvement in a long-running bread price-fixing conspiracy to the Competition Bureau, providing a list of competitors: Sobeys, Metro, Walmart Canada, and Giant Tiger. In exchange for this cooperation, Loblaw received immunity from criminal prosecution. Its competitors, however, have faced years of litigation they argue is unwarranted.

The $500-million settlement, which provided Canadians with $49.11 each, was funded solely by Loblaw and George Weston. The class action against Sobeys, Metro, Walmart Canada, Giant Tiger, and Canada Bread continues. No trial date has been announced, and no further settlements have been reached. Most of the remaining retailers continue to deny all allegations.

Metro has responded most assertively. The Montreal-based grocer filed both a statement of defence and a cross-claim against Loblaw, alleging that Loblaw intentionally implicated Metro to distribute blame across the industry and avoid sole responsibility. According to Metro’s court documents, “Metro has suffered, and continues to suffer, significant and unjustifiable damage to its reputation, having been falsely painted as involved in a criminal price-fixing conspiracy when it was not.” Loblaw described these allegations as “simply ridiculous and utterly untrue, as will be made clear in court.” As a result, two of Canada’s largest grocery chains are now litigating against each other within a broader consumer class action.

Sobeys also filed a statement of defence and cross-claim, asserting it was falsely implicated.

Walmart Canada denied any involvement in bread price-fixing or violations of the Competition Act.

Giant Tiger stated it neither participated in nor was aware of the alleged conspiracy. These denials are significant and will likely extend the timeline for any further consumer compensation.

Canada Bread is the exception among the defendants. The company, formerly owned by Maple Leaf Foods and acquired by Grupo Bimbo in 2014, pleaded guilty in June 2023 to four counts of price fixing under the Competition Act and was fined $50 million.

This $50 million fine, the largest ever for price fixing in Canada, was paid to the federal government, with no compensation provided to consumers. Canada Bread’s civil liability in the class action remains unresolved, so the company has not yet settled with the Canadians it overcharged.

This situation highlights the complexity of the case. Loblaw self-reported, identified other companies, received criminal immunity, admitted civil liability, and paid $500 million. Canada Bread pleaded guilty, paid a government fine, but has not compensated consumers.

Meanwhile, Metro, Sobeys, Walmart Canada, and Giant Tiger—named by Loblaw as co-conspirators—continue to contest the allegations in court as the Competition Bureau’s investigation, initiated in 2016, continues into its second decade.

According to Troy Media analysis, Canadians were overcharged by more than $5 billion during the 14-year conspiracy. The Loblaw settlement covers approximately 10 percent of that amount. If the remaining defendants are found liable, their financial obligations could be substantial.

Following the Loblaw settlement, plaintiff lawyers indicated they would focus on preparing for trial against the remaining defendants. The timeline for this process remains uncertain, as Canadian class actions of this scale often require years to resolve. Additional cross-claims between co-defendants further increase procedural complexity and delay. The Loblaw case was certified in December 2021 and settled in July 2024. The remaining cases are expected to take considerable time.

For Canadians who received the $49.11 settlement, additional compensation may become available in the future. If any remaining defendants settle, new claim periods will likely open, potentially allowing those who missed the December 2025 deadline to participate. However, further announcements are not expected soon.