Usually, I’d laugh at a story about a grocery store dick who lied about the weight of meat they sold to increase their profits. HOWEVER, Canadian grocery store oligarch Galen Weston in a fart of a different odor.

The Loblaw grocery chain overcharged customers by selling underweighted meat across 80 stores for an undisclosed period that ended in December 2023, a CBC News investigation has found. https://t.co/2Xulchv0Ki

— CBC News (@CBCNews) January 9, 2025

In a shocking revelation that has rocked Canadian consumers, Loblaw Companies Limited, Canada’s largest food retailer, has been caught selling underweight meat products across its stores. This scandal has exposed unethical business practices and highlighted the growing disparity between corporate profits and consumer struggles in the face of rising food prices.

The Scope of the Scandal

According to a CBC News investigation, Loblaw overcharged customers by selling underweight meat across 80 stores in Western Canada. The problem, which ended in December 2023, affected various meat products, including ground beef, chicken, and pork.

The investigation found that overcharges ranged from 4% to 11% per item in some cases. While Loblaw has apologized for these “errors,” the company did not disclose when the problem started, or the number of customers overcharged.

Even more concerning, the issue appears to be ongoing. In late 2024, nearly a year after Loblaw claimed to have fixed the problem, CBC News found underweight meat products in two Loblaw stores, with a total overcharge of $5.14 on a $107.43 bill – a 5% markup.

Consumer advocate Daniel Tsai suggested that even minor weight discrepancies could amount to significant profits over time, potentially “into the (tens of) millions of dollars.”

The Weston Family Fortune

Galen Weston Jr., the executive chairman and president of Loblaw Companies Limited, is at the center of this controversy. Weston’s net worth has skyrocketed in recent years despite—or perhaps because of—the ongoing cost-of-living crisis affecting many Canadians.

As of 2024, Galen Weston Jr.’s net worth is estimated at a staggering $18.05 billion. This immense wealth is derived primarily from his control of Loblaw Companies Limited and other family real estate and retail holdings:

Loblaw Companies Limited

Loblaw is Canada’s largest food and pharmacy retailer, controlled by George Weston Limited. Its assets include:

• Supermarket chains operating under 22 regional and market-segment banners
• Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacy chain
• President’s Choice, No Name, and Joe Fresh private label brands
• PC Financial banking services
• Loblaw Companies Limited (52.6% ownership)
• Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust
Choice Properties REIT
• Retail properties, primarily leased to necessity-based tenants
• Industrial, office, and residential assets
Other Notable Holdings
• Holt Renfrew (luxury department store chain in Canada)
• Previously owned Selfridges Group, which included Selfridges (UK), Brown Thomas and Arnotts (Ireland), and De Bijenkorf (Netherlands)

So yeah, he really needs that extra “Meat Money” from “Canadian poors” drilling Hamburger Helper 5-7 nights a week…

BTW, Galen Scottish Castle doesn’t pay for itself, Poors…

The Political Connection: Jenni Byrne and Pierre Poilievre

Don’t expect any help/accountability from the incoming Conservative Government.

I’m sure Jenni Byrne Pierre Poilievre’s top advicer who is also a lobbyist for Galen Weston/Loblaws
says this is just fine… https://t.co/Q5dOgMDGnf pic.twitter.com/RVJ5kICyiO

— G McThink (@redsnoopy69) January 9, 2025

Adding another layer of complexity to this scandal is the involvement of Jenni Byrne, a top Conservative strategist and campaign manager for Pierre Poilievre’s leadership bid. Byrne’s consulting firm, Jenni Byrne + Associates, has been registered to lobby for Loblaw Companies Limited.

This connection has raised eyebrows and sparked heated debates in the political arena. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has called out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, stating, “Pierre Poilievre has been standing up for months now pretending he cares about high grocery prices faced by Canadians. And it turns out that his top advisor is working as a lobbyist for Loblaws.”

While Byrne is not listed as a lobbyist for Loblaw, six employees of her firm are registered as such. This has led to accusations of conflict of interest and calls for investigation from opposition parties.

The Impact on Consumers

The underweight meat scandal is just one example of how large corporations may exploit consumers during economic stress. With food prices soaring, every cent counts for many Canadian families. The fact that a major retailer was systematically overcharging customers, even if unintentionally, is a serious breach of trust.

For Loblaws, this wasn’t a one-time mistake—it spanned 80 stores.

Their excuse? “Packaging changes.” Yet, nearly a year later, CBC found underweighted meat on their shelves.

Meanwhile, grocery giants rake in record profits, squeezing families that are already struggling. https://t.co/6zTwKIV8eL

— Lise Vaugeois (@LiseVaugeois) January 9, 2025

Former CFIA inspector Terri Lee noted that this is not a new problem, stating, “There was a whole myriad of excuses… The store would blame the head office, and the head office might blame the store.”

Loblaw’s Response? We’re Blaming The Help!!

Loblaw has apologized for the errors and claims to have “refreshed in-store training” to prevent future occurrences. However, the company’s response has been criticized as “Fuckign Hilarious,” given the scale of the problem and its apparent continuation even after being exposed.

Conclusion

The Loblaw underweight meat scandal is a stark reminder of the need for vigilant consumer protection and corporate accountability and how GREEDY and SKEAKY Galen Weston is. As Galen Weston Jr.’s wealth continues to grow and political connections between big business and policy-makers deepen, it’s crucial for Canadians to remain informed and demand transparency from their retailers and their elected officials—just not the ones who represent Loblaws as Lobbyists on the side.