The BCGEU’s investor brief outlines the investor case for the proposal at Canada’s largest retailer

Ahead of the annual meeting of shareholders of Loblaw Companies Limited (TSX: L) on May 6, 2025, the BCGEU has released an investor memo about the shareholder proposal it filed for consideration at this year’s meeting. The proposal requests an independent Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) of Loblaw’s healthcare offerings, including PC Health, Lifemark, and QHR (AccuroEMR). BCGEU is a long-term investor in Loblaw.

A 2023 Privacy Commissioner of Canada study found that 61 per cent of Canadians distrust businesses with consumer privacy, with retailers ranking particularly low (39 per cent). Loblaw’s health expansion presents important growth opportunities for the company, but it also raises risks related to data privacy, patient consent, and regulatory compliance. These risks may be heightened due to the interconnectedness of Loblaw’s businesses, including how information is shared across its business units and with the company’s loyalty program.

Loblaw’s Privacy Policy discloses the company’s approach to data privacy when consumers receive healthcare services or use PC Health offerings. In our view, there are limitations to Loblaw’s existing data privacy policies, which expose the company and investors to risk.

BCGEU encourages investors to vote FOR this proposal.

Read the BCGEU investor brief for Loblaw Companies Limited here