Both the Metro and Sobey’s supermarket chains have issued
statements saying they are not aware of any bread price-fixing in their
businesses.
However, court documents released Wednesday indicate that
the Bureau of Competition Policy is investigating them plus Canada Bread Co.
Ltd., Wal-Mart Canada Inc. and Giant Tiger Stores Ltd.
Galen Weston, head of both Loblaws and Weston Bread,
revealed that those companies were involved in fixing the price of breads at
both the wholesale and retail levels between 2001 and 2015.
Loblaws is now offering $25-dollar gift coupons to shoppers;
people can file applications now to be notified when the offer begins next
year.
Giant Tiger also issued a statement this week saying it
has no reason to believe it violated competition laws and that it is also
cooperating with the Bureau’s investigation.
