Stay granted in legal challenge against Alberta College of Pharmacists

EDMONTON, June 4, 2014 /CNW/ - Albertans who collect reward points on pharmacy purchases, including Air Miles and Club Sobeys, will be pleased to learn that the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench has granted a stay of the Alberta College of Pharmacists ban that would have prohibited patients from collecting reward points on these purchases starting June 10, 2014.

Justice J.J. Gill of the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench granted a stay of the implementation of the inducements prohibition, pending the hearing of the judicial review application that is expected to be heard in January, 2015.

"As a result of this ruling, Albertans will be able to continue to earn loyalty rewards on their pharmacy purchases, including Air Miles Reward Miles at Safeway stores and Club Sobeys points at Sobeys locations across the province," said Sandra Aylward, Vice President, Professional and Regulatory Affairs, Sobeys Inc.

In April, 2014 the Coalition for Consumer Choice launched the "I Earned It" petition at www.iearneditpetition.ca, providing a strong and united voice for Albertans opposed to the ban.  Nearly three quarters of Albertans surveyed believe that it is unfair to ban loyalty rewards and over 38,000 Albertans have already signed the petition calling on the Alberta government to stand up for Albertans and reject the ban.

About Sobeys Inc.
Proudly Canadian, with headquarters in Stellarton, Nova Scotia, Sobeys has been serving the food shopping needs of Canadians for 106 years. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Empire Company Limited (TSX:EMP.A), Sobeys owns or franchises more than 1,500 stores in all 10 provinces under retail banners that include Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, and Lawton's Drug Stores as well as more than 330 retail fuel locations. Sobeys and its franchise affiliates employ more than 124,000 people. The company's goal is to be widely recognized as the best food retailer and workplace environment in Canada. More information on Sobeys Inc. can be found at www.sobeyscorporate.com.

SOURCE: SOBEYS INC.

John Graham, Director of Public Affairs
Safeway Operations, Sobeys Inc.
Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]