A worker restocks shelves in the bakery and bread aisle of an Atlantic Superstore in Halifax.Kelly Clark/The Canadian Press
After Canada’s largest grocer, Loblaw Cos. Ltd., and its parent company, George Weston Ltd., agreed to a $500-million settlement over their role in a scheme to fix bread prices, Canadians who submitted claims for compensation have recently seen money appear in their bank accounts.
According to the settlement claim’s website, Canadians could receive either $49.11 or $24.11, depending on whether they participated in Loblaw’s $25 gift card program in 2017.
We know it’s not exactly a life-changing amount of money, but we thought it might be interesting to see what Canadians did with their bread-settlement money - so we asked. From getting a nice dinner to donating to food banks, here’s what you said.
Treating yourself
I received the $49.11. I’ll be buying myself a nice bottle of wine for the weekend. - Bob Halliday, Saskatoon
We were at a local schnitzel restaurant that only took debit cards. When we got home we saw that the $49.11 arrived in our account, so we felt we had simultaneously spent it on dinner! Cheap night out! - Linda Korgemets, Waterloo, Ont.
They rose the prices, so we decided to raise a glass! My wife Karli and I took our “dough” and enjoyed a beer outside in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, to celebrate the early start to summer on Wednesday - it was 30 degrees! - Kara Mosher, Lunenburg N.S.
I used the funds for general expenses. That is: Using it for the weekly grocery budget and a lunch special at China Cottage in Scarborough, Ontario. - David Grey, Markham, Ont.
Saving it up
We’re putting the money in our grandkids’ RESP so they can get an education, get a good job, and never have to eat Wonder Bread (unless they want to). - Alexandra Beaton, Ottawa
I plan on putting $20 in my savings account and not touching it for six years. - Raymond Boudreau, Campbellton, N.B.
Giving it to charity
I received my compensation this week and am donating it to the local food bank. They can make better use of the funds that I can. - Jan Muir, London, Ont.
Last time, I received the prepaid card, so I passed it to the local food bank. I’ll probably pass the $40 or so along in the same way. - Henry Curtis, Perth, Ont.
I took my $49.11 and donated it online to the Daily Bread Food Bank. I also specified that my donation was in “honour” of Galen Weston, who should be ashamed to have overcharged on a basic staple for Canadian families. - Dominic Ali, Toronto
Responses have been edited for clarity.