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Claim Your Share: Navigating the $500-Million Bread Price-Fixing Settlement

  Canadians who purchased packaged bread between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2021 , may be eligible for compensation from a $500-million class-action settlement . This lawsuit accused major grocery chains, including Loblaw Companies Ltd. and George Weston Ltd. , of participating in a price-fixing scheme that artificially inflated bread prices. Who Can Apply? Eligible claimants include individuals and businesses that bought packaged bread in Canada during the specified period. The settlement covers most packaged bread products , but excludes fresh in-store baked goods, artisan loaves, and frozen bread. How to File a Claim Once the settlement process is finalized, an online claims porta l will be available for submissions. Claimants will need to provide details about their bread purchases, though proof of purchase is not required for claims up to $25 . Those who previously received a $25 Loblaw gift card  in 2018–2019 can still apply, but the gift card amount will be deduc...

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Boxing Day Sales See Smaller Crowds Despite GST Break

 

Retailers across the country experienced smaller crowds and cautious spending on Boxing Day this year, despite the federal government's GST holiday. While the tax break, which makes a variety of items GST-free for two months, did attract some shoppers, many consumers remained hesitant due to ongoing cost of living concerns.

Shoppers at Fairview Mall in Toronto, like Nakul Singal, took advantage of the deals but expressed that the tax break alone wasn't enough to offset the high costs of living**. Singal mentioned, "It's good to shop around during this time, but we're still struggling with expenses, especially housing.

Retail Council of Canada's Matt Poirier noted that businesses faced challenges implementing the tax break on short notice, and some older payment systems struggled to adapt.  An RBC Economics report also indicated that retail spending slowed in November, with holiday spending slightly below 2023 levels over the Black Friday weekend.

Despite these challenges, some retailers, like GameStop in north Toronto, saw an influx of customers eager to benefit from the tax holiday. Assistant store manager Joey Comia-Orellano said, "We've been getting shoppers before Boxing Day, and we expect it to get busier as consumers look to save with Boxing Day deals combined with the tax break."

Overall, while the GST break provided some relief, it wasn't enough to fully counteract the economic pressures faced by many Canadians.




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