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Private Notes
Marketplace producers go undercover overseas and pose as recycling brokers to expose the lucrative plastic waste business. We reveal that companies are willing to break the law to buy Canadian plastic and show how some of it is dumped and burned in illegal landfills, where the toxic fumes and run-off is making people sick. Back in Canada, we buy nine tonnes of plastic and secretly track where big companies are taking it. Will it actually get recycled?
Marketplace tackles one of the largest scams targeting Canadians: Fake technicians claiming your home computer or smartphone is compromised — and demanding hundreds or thousands of dollars to fix it. We discover that much of the scamming activity emanates from call centres in India, and after months of cultivating sources on the ground, we get inside. Plus, we ask: What is the RCMP doing to stop this scam for good?
It's easier than ever to check your credit score online but is there a catch? We ask three people to check their scores on Credit Karma, TransUnion, Equifax, and Borrowell. The results might surprise you. Plus, Livia sells a cute device promising to reduce your period pain. But with a hefty price tag, does it work any better than what's currently on the market, for less than half the price? Find out on an all-new Buzzkill.
We test school boards across the country by asking one question: How many students have attacked other students? The majority of schools refused to answer, so we decided to just ask students themselves. We commissioned a national survey asking youth about their experiences with physical and sexual violence, homophobia and racism — from kindergarten to grade 12. This months-long CBC News and Marketplace investigation reveals student-on-student violence in schools is all too common, and drastically underreported.
Marketplace tests top brand-name sneakers from Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour. Through mechanical lab testing, we rip apart their high, medium and low cost shoes to see if there’s really a difference between the most expensive and the cheapest shoes. Does a higher price mean better quality and performance?
You’re not imagining it. Restaurants are getting louder. But just how much noise are we exposed to? And what is it doing to our health? Marketplace tests noise levels at popular chains across the country.
Plus, Health Canada bans 'predatory' vaginal detox products following a Marketplace investigation. We discover that Goddess Vaginal Detox Pearls' claims of cleansing and healing from sexual trauma could lead to serious mental and physical health impacts. Have you seen other vaginal detox products for sale? The government wants to know about it, and so we do we.
We test whether you really need to drink milk to stay healthy, debunk the coconut oil craze, and fact-check some miraculous juicing claims.
Many of us are feeling the strain on our eyes from staring at our smartphones and computer screens all day. But some of Canada's largest optical chains are selling you a solution experts say you don't need: lenses that protect our eyes from the blue light emitted from our devices. Leading experts tell Marketplace some of Canada's top chains seem to be using "misleading" claims to sell the lenses. And an ophthalmologist reveals some easy and free tips that will ease digital eye strain.
Plus, Why are some long-term care and retirement homes banning families from seeing their loved ones? Administrators say it's because they're being too aggressive. Families argue they're just fighting for better care.
Who do you call when you’re locked out of your home? A locksmith. But industry experts tell us some of them are duping customers with the promise of a quick and cheap fix, only to end up ripping you off. CBC Marketplace uncovers a network of fake local business locations and fake five-star reviews cluttering Google Maps in the Greater Toronto Area. We rig up a house with hidden cameras to test locksmiths advertising their services online, and expose how some companies use low prices, fake names, fake addresses and fake reviews to lure you in.
We dive into one of the world’s most harmful misinformation campaigns: the anti-vaccination movement. We go undercover to expose the movement's inner workings and discover the business behind the message. We also reveal how the spread of anti-vaxx misinformation impacts us on a subconscious level, and has led to a crisis of outbreaks around the world.
Three cars, three teams wearing hidden cameras, and one car rental company location with a long history of complaints and overcharging. What happens when we send in our Marketplace team with some savvy consumers to fight back against those extra fees?
We're testing popular skin lightening products sold in Canada to find out if the ingredients are as toxic as the marketing. They’re not authorized for sale here, yet we bought dozens of products from beauty supply stores in Toronto, Halifax, Vancouver and Montreal. Some of the promises: “whiter skin in 7 days”, “white in seconds”, use a “fairness meter” to check your results. The advertising is clearly harmful. Are any of the ingredients in the products harmful too?
Our journalists got exclusive access to an undercover RCMP investigation into major scam calls, which have bilked Canadians of millions of dollars. For two years, we have zeroed in on scammers in Indian call centres targeting Canadians: posing as CRA tax agents, tech support workers or impersonating police and other government officials. Now, we have a full update on new arrests on Canadian soil, the likely impact of enforcement actions and how police will tackle it going forward.
We bought dozens of products: electronics, cosmetics, sports jerseys and handbags. Many of them turned out to be suspected counterfeits and lab tests reveal high levels of heavy metals in some make-up. So, we teach you how to spot the difference between a real deal and a fake. And we ask: who's protecting you from buying counterfeit and sometimes dangerous products online?
Are your pricey appliances breaking down faster and more frequently than ever? Marketplace investigates why it’s so tough to get your appliances repaired in Canada. We commission a national poll to get to the heart of your complaints: which brand you tell us breaks down the most, how long you tell us your appliances last, and your frustrations searching for a fix. Plus we follow four Canadians with different busted appliances (dishwasher, fridges, washer) to see if their machines will be saved, or whether they will get trashed.
Are 100% compostable labels on your plastic products really as green as advertised? Plus: We reveal the dirtiest surfaces on airplanes, and what you need to do to fly safe.
How should you be living your life during a pandemic? Infection control expert Dr. Susy Hota told us how to stay safe amid the coronavirus outbreak. We've all heard of stocking up during times of crisis and many of us are doing just that. But are we grabbing the right supplies? We also went shopping with Dr. Samir Sinha, an emergency preparedness expert who volunteers with the American Red Cross.
Inside Taiwan, we see how fast action ensured kids were back in school and businesses stayed open. Plus Asha Tomlinson investigates whether the big grocery chains are doing enough to stop the panic and stock the shelves. And how to get a fair deal when fighting for an airline refund.
Hidden Camera investigation about how the latest way to fix your smile at home is sold to potential patients. Tele-orthodontics are cheaper, no monthly visits, but are they worth it? And what Canada can learn from Taiwan to fight COVID-19 and keep schools open.
We look into health claims on YouTube and Eventbrite about how to protect yourself from COVID-19 and ask an expert if you can really buy your way to a better immune system. We also hear from some home care workers who are fighting for personal protective equipment. Plus, we investigate a controversial rapid blood test said to determine if you have the antibodies to fight off COVID-19. Why hasn’t Health Canada approved it?
