Thu Sep 19 15:27:00 UTC 2024: ## Maple Leaf Foods Denies Involvement in Bread Price-Fixing Scheme
**Toronto, Canada** – Maple Leaf Foods has vehemently denied any involvement in an alleged bread price-fixing scheme, ahead of a court hearing that will determine whether the company will be added as a defendant in an ongoing class-action lawsuit.
In a statement released Wednesday, Maple Leaf asserted that claims of its participation in the conspiracy are “false.” The company was not initially included in the class-action suit, which was certified in 2021 against various grocery retailers and food companies.
However, plaintiffs are set to argue Thursday that Maple Leaf should be added to the lawsuit due to its ownership of Canada Bread. Canada Bread pleaded guilty to four counts of price-fixing in 2023 and was fined by the Competition Bureau. In the context of the class-action lawsuit, Canada Bread has shifted blame to Maple Leaf, which was its majority shareholder at the time.
The class-action lawsuit is one of two stemming from the Competition Bureau’s ongoing investigation into alleged industry-wide price manipulation of bread. The outcome of Thursday’s hearing will significantly impact the scope of the class-action suit and the potential liability of Maple Leaf Foods.
First Piper 