Back to School PC Optimum™ Contest

The Back to School PC Optimum™ Contest (the “Contest” or “contest”) is brought to you by Loblaws Inc. (the “Sponsor”).

This Contest begins on August 17, 2023 at 12:00am ET and closes September 13, 2023 at 11:59pm ET (the “Contest Period”).

Contest is open only to residents of Canada who have reached the legal age of majority in their province/territory of residence at the time of entry and who are PC Optimum™ members. PC Optimum membership is free. If you are not already a PC Optimum member, you may become a member by following the instructions to participate available at: https://pcoptimum.ca/register.

Employees, representatives, agents, officers or directors (and those with whom such persons are living, whether related or not) of the Sponsor, its divisions, subsidiaries, associated and affiliated entities, prize suppliers, advertising/promotion agencies and any other individual(s), entity or entities involved in the development, production, implementation, administration or fulfillment of the Contest (collectively, the “Contest Parties”) are not eligible to enter the Contest.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. To enter with purchase, during the Contest Period, scan your PC Optimum card using the PC Optimum App with a minimum $20.00 CDN purchase (excluding applicable taxes, tobacco, lottery tickets, alcohol, gift cards, all prepaid cards, transit/event tickets, post office transactions, passport photos, cash back, delivery charges, all non-participating 3rd party operations and any other products which are provincially regulated (including pharmacy-related transactions) or as we determine from time to time)) at any participating Loblaws, Zehrs, valu-mart, Your Independent Grocer, Dominion, Real Atlantic Superstore, or Provigo store location (or online) (each, an “Eligible Purchase”). Note: PC Optimum plastic key tags or plastic card scans are not eligible for entry. For the avoidance of doubt, provided that your PC Optimum App is scanned at the time of Eligible Purchase, one (1) entry will be provided regardless of whether such purchase earns any PC Optimum points.

To enter without making a purchase, write your first name, last name, telephone number, date of birth and your PC Optimum account number (which you can find by clicking on “Card” on the PC Optimum App) and email it along with a 100 word (or more) unique and original essay explaining “why you shop at one of the following stores: Loblaws, Zehrs, valu-mart/Your Independent Grocer, Dominion, Real Atlantic Superstore, or Provigo” to the following address: MktMarketing@loblaw.ca. Upon receipt, you will receive one (1) entry into the Contest. To be eligible, a no purchase request must: (i) be received separately in a single email (i.e. multiple requests in the same email will be void); and (ii) be received during the Contest Period and received by no later than the Contest closing date.

To be eligible, an entry must be submitted and received in accordance with these Rules during the Contest Period (the “Entry”). Once your Entry is complete, you will receive one (1) Entry into the Contest.

Limit of one (1) Entry per PC Optimum account number per day during the Contest Period, regardless of method of entry.

All Entries are subject to verification at any time and for any reason. The Sponsor reserves the right to require proof of identity and/or eligibility (in a form acceptable to the Sponsor) for any reason the Sponsor deems necessary to administer this Contest. Failure to provide such proof within the timeline specified by the Sponsor may result in disqualification in the sole and absolute discretion of the Sponsor.

The sole determinant of the time for the purposes of this Contest will be the official time-keeping device(s) used by the Sponsor. Proof of transmission (screenshots or captures etc.) or attempted transmission of an Entry, or of an attempted Entry or of any communication, does not constitute proof of delivery or receipt by the Sponsor.

If it is discovered by the Sponsor (using any evidence or other information made available to the Sponsor) that: (a) any person has attempted to use multiple accounts, names, identities, email addresses and/or any automated, macro, script, robotic or other system(s) or program(s), and/or any other means not in keeping with the Sponsor’s interpretation of the letter and spirit of these Rules to enter this Contest; (b) acts in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with the intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person; then he/she may be disqualified from the Contest in the sole and absolute discretion of the Sponsor. In the event a dispute arises as to the identity of a potentially winning entrant, entries will be deemed to have submitted by the authorized PC Optimum account holder associated with the Entry. A selected entrant may be required to provide proof that he/she is the authorized account holder associated with the selected Entry. An Entry may be rejected if (in the sole and absolute discretion of the Sponsor) it is not fully completed with all required information and submitted and received in accordance with these Rules.

The Contest Parties and each of their respective officers, directors, agents, representatives, successors, and assigns (collectively, the “Released Parties”) are not responsible for, and accept no liability whatsoever in relation to, any late, lost, misdirected, delayed or incomplete entries (all of which are void).

Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify an entrant if the entrant: a) violates these official rules and/or the general rules/guidelines of any online property, Contest website or service of the Sponsor; b) enters the contest by any means contrary to these rules or which would be unfair to other entrants or where contest entries are generated by any mechanical or automated means; and/or c) acts in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with the intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person. Entry materials that have been tampered with, reproduced, falsified, or altered are void.

Any attempt to deliberately damage the Contest website or any related website or undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil laws. Should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek remedies and damages to the fullest extent permitted by law.

On September 27, 2023 in Brampton, Ontario at approximately 12:00pm ET, six (6) eligible entrants will be selected by random draw from among all eligible Entries submitted and received in accordance with these Rules during the Contest Period as follows: one (1) from Loblaws, one (1) from Zehrs, one (1) from Provigo, one (1) from Real Atlantic Superstore, one (1) from Dominion, and one from (1) Your Independent Grocer and valu-mart combined.

The Sponsor or its designated representative will make a minimum of two (2) attempts to contact each eligible winner (using the information available to the Sponsor) within seven (7) business days of selection as an eligible winner. If an eligible winner cannot be contacted within seven (7) business days of the Sponsor’s first attempted contact, or if there is a return of any notification as undeliverable and/or if any correspondence is not responded to; then he/she may, in the sole and absolute discretion of the Sponsor, be disqualified (and, if disqualified, will forfeit all rights to the applicable Prize) and the Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion and time permitting, to select an alternate eligible winner in accordance with the applicable procedures as outlined in these Rules for the applicable Prize (in which case the foregoing provisions of this section shall apply to such newly selected eligible winner). No communication or correspondence will be exchanged with entrants except for those selected for a prize.

The chances of being selected as a potential winner of a Prize depends upon the total number of eligible entries received during the Contest Period.

There are six (6) “free groceries for a year” prizes (each, a “Prize” or “prize” and collectively, the “Prizes” or “prizes”) available to be won in relation to this Contest, each consisting of 15,000,000 PC Optimum points with an approximate retail value of $15,000.00 CDN. For the avoidance of doubt, “free groceries for 1 year” is defined as $1,250 per month for 12 months. Subject to a number of factors, including, but not limited to a potential winner’s shopping and spending habits and family size, the Prize may extend beyond a year or be depleted before the one year period. Where the Prize is depleted under the year, no additional PC Optimum points will be provided.

All PC Optimum points Prizes may be redeemed subject to their terms, conditions and/or restrictions. Minimum redemption 10,000 PC Optimum points. Maximum value of PC Optimum points redeemed in one transaction is $500.00. PC Optimum points cannot be redeemed for any of the following: (i) tobacco, lottery tickets, or alcohol, (ii) deposits (e.g., a water bottle deposit, as it is not a purchase), (iii) gift cards, prepaid card products including wireless/long distance phone cards, (iv) transit tickets and passes, event tickets and post office transactions; (v) passport photos, (vi) cash back, (vii) gifts with purchases, (viii) delivery charges (where applicable), (ix) purchases made through non-participating licensed merchants located within or adjacent to participating stores or program participants, (x) any other products or services that may not legally be offered in connection with the PC Optimum program, including pharmacy-related transactions in certain provinces, or (xi) any other products or services that we may specify from time to time or where prohibited by law. See https://www.pcoptimum.ca/ for complete terms and conditions

Each Prize must be accepted as awarded and is not transferable, assignable, or convertible to cash (except as may be permitted by Sponsor in its sole and absolute discretion). No substitutions except at Sponsor’s option. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to substitute the Prize (or a component thereof) with a prize of equal or greater retail value, including, without limitation, but at Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion, a cash award. During the Contest Period, there is a limit of one (1) Prize per person.

The following general conditions apply to each Prize: (i) specifics of each Prize will be at the sole and absolute discretion of the Sponsor and subject to availability; and (ii) if applicable, each confirmed Prize winner is solely responsible for all expenses that are not specifically included in the Prize description above.

None of the Released Parties makes any representation or offers any warranty, express or implied, as to the quality or fitness of a Prize awarded in connection with the Contest. By accepting a Prize, each confirmed winner agrees to waive all recourse against the Released Parties if the Prize or a component thereof does not prove satisfactory, either in whole or in part.

The approximate retail values as stated by the Sponsor in point-of-sale advertising, and other advertising, promotion materials, and/or in these Rules are subject to price fluctuations in the consumer marketplace. If, at the time a prize is redeemed or awarded, the actual prevailing retail purchase price for the prize is less than the approximate retail value stated by the Sponsor in point of sale, television and print advertising, promotion materials, and/or in these Rules, the prize winner will not be entitled to a cheque or cash for the price difference. Prizes will be delivered to winners within 4 to 6 weeks of winner verification.

If due to printing, production, online, internet, computer or other error of any kind, more Prizes are claimed than intended to be distributed or awarded according to these Rules, then, in addition to having the right to terminate the Contest immediately, the Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to rescind invalid Prize claims and/or conduct a random draw from amongst all eligible claimants to award the correct number of Prizes. In no event whatsoever will the Sponsor or any of the Released Parties be liable for more than the number, type and value of Prizes as stated in these Rules.

Before being declared as a confirmed prize winner, each eligible winner will be required to: (a) correctly answer a mathematical skill-testing question without mechanical or other aid (which may be administered online, by email or other electronic means, by telephone, or in the Sponsor’s form of declaration and release); and, where applicable, (b) sign and return the Sponsor’s declaration and release form, confirming (among other things) their: (i) compliance with these Rules; (ii) acceptance of the applicable Prize; (iii) release of the Released Parties from any and all liability in connection with this Contest, his/her participation therein and/or the awarding and use/misuse of the applicable Prize or any portion thereof; and (iv) agreement to the publication, reproduction and/or other use of his/her name, address, voice, statements about the Contest and/or photograph or other likeness without further notice or compensation, in any publicity or advertisement carried out by or on behalf of the Sponsor in any manner or medium whatsoever, including print, broadcast or the internet. If an eligible winner: (a) fails to correctly answer the skill-testing question; (b) fails to properly execute and return any required Contest documents within the specified time; (c) cannot accept (or is unwilling to accept) the applicable Prize (as awarded) for any reason; (d) email or other correspondence between the Sponsor, or its representative, and the potential winner is not responded to or returned as undeliverable; and/or (e) is determined to be in violation of these Rules (all as determined by the Sponsor in its sole and absolute discretion); then he/she will be disqualified (and will forfeit all rights to the applicable Prize) and the Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion and time permitting, to select an alternate eligible winner in accordance with the applicable procedures as outlined in these Rules (in which case the foregoing provisions of this section shall apply to such newly selected eligible winner). Any forfeited or unclaimed prizes by November 7, 2023 will not be awarded.

By entering this contest, each entrant accepts and agrees to these Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which shall be final in all matters. Each entrant further releases and holds harmless the Released Parties from any and all liability for any injuries, loss or damage of any kind arising from, or in connection with, the Contest or any Prize won and by accepting a prize, the winner(s) agree(s) to hold the Released Parties harmless against any and all claims and liability arising out of the acceptance, use, misuse or redemption of any prize or participation in the contest. The Released parties will not be liable for: (i) any failure of any website or any platform during or after the Contest; (ii) any technical malfunction or other problems of any nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, those relating to the telephone network or lines, computer on-line systems, servers, access providers, computer equipment or software; (iii) the failure of any information or materials whatsoever to be received, captured, recorded or function properly for any reason whatsoever, including, but not limited to, technical problems or traffic congestion on the internet or at any website; (iv) any injury or damage to an entrant’s or any other person’s computer or other device related to or resulting from participating in the Contest; (v) anyone being incorrectly and/or mistakenly identified as a winner or eligible winner; and/or (vi) any combination of the above.

In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between English language version and the French language version of these Contest Rules, and disclosures or other statements contained in any Contest-related materials, including but not limited to point of sale, television, print or online advertising, the terms, and conditions of the English version of the Official Rules shall prevail, govern and control.

The Sponsor reserves the right, subject only to the approval of the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (the “Régie”) in Quebec, to withdraw, amend or suspend this Contest (or to amend these Rules) in any way, in the event of any cause beyond the reasonable control of the Sponsor that interferes with the proper conduct of this Contest as contemplated by these Rules, including, without limitation, any error, problem, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud or failure of any kind whatsoever or any epidemic, pandemic, or any governmental or health authority orders. Any attempt to undermine the legitimate operation of this Contest in any way (as determined by Sponsor in its sole and absolute discretion) may be a violation of criminal and civil laws and should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek remedies and damages to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Sponsor reserves the right, subject only to the approval of the Régie in Quebec, to cancel, amend or suspend this Contest, or to amend these Rules, in any way without prior notice or obligation, in the event of any accident, printing, administrative, or other error of any kind, or for any other reason whatsoever, including without limitation any of the causes contemplated in this paragraph. Without limiting the generality of the forgoing, the Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to administer an alternate test of skill as it deems appropriate based on the circumstances and/or to comply with applicable law.

For Quebec residents: Any litigation respecting the conduct or organization of a publicity contest may be submitted to the Régie for a ruling. Any litigation respecting the awarding of a prize may be submitted to the board only for the purpose of helping the parties reach a settlement.

The Sponsor respects your right to privacy. By participating in the Contest, you: (i) grant to the Sponsor the right to use your name, mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address, alias or platform handle (as applicable) (“Personal Information”) for the purposes of administering this Contest and conducting publicity about this contest; (ii) grant to the Sponsor the right to use Personal Information for publicity and promotional purposes relating to the Contest, in any and all media now known or hereafter devised, without further compensation unless prohibited by law; and (iii) acknowledge that the Sponsor may disclose Personal Information to third-party service providers and agents of the Sponsor in connection with any of the activities listed in (i) and (ii) above. The Sponsor will only use the entrant’s Personal Information for identified purposes and only if consent is given at the time of entry to provide you with information regarding upcoming promotions/Contest of the Sponsor. Your consent may be withdrawn at any time. Should you withdraw your consent, your entry into this contest will be invalid. For more information regarding the manner of collection, use and disclosure of Personal Information by the Sponsor, please refer to the Sponsor’s Privacy Policy at: https://www.loblaw.ca/en/privacy-policy.

The Contest is subject to applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations. The Rules are subject to change without notice in order to comply with any applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws or the policy of any other entity having jurisdiction over the Sponsor. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of the Rules or the rights and obligations as between the entrant and the Sponsor in connection with the Contest shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the province of Ontario including procedural provisions without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions that would cause the application of any other jurisdiction’s laws.

These rules are available on the contest website at www.pcoptimum.ca/backtoschoolgroceries.