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Ever wondered how grocery giants influence who can sell food in your area? Dave Lawson, a resident of St. Catharines, Ontario, is challenging the prevalence of “maple washing” on store shelves. This practice involves products adorned with Canadian symbols that turn out to be imports from the U.S. Lawson, a proud Canadian, advocates for supporting local products with Canadian ingredients.
On the international front, U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent tariff threats against Canada have reignited calls to “Buy Canadian.” Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized the importance of supporting local products in government projects. Amidst the ongoing trade tensions, consumers like Lawson are joining initiatives to prioritize Canadian-made goods.
Concerns about misleading product labeling were raised when it was discovered that popular items, like Betty Crocker’s chocolate chip cookie mix, marketed as Canadian, were actually U.S. imports. Marketplace conducted tests on such products and found that crucial information about their origin was often hidden on the packaging’s back, potentially misleading consumers.
Meanwhile, a disabled man in Langley, British Columbia, faced challenges accessing accessible seating at Rogers Arena due to misuse by individuals who may not require it. Michael Coss, who relies on a wheelchair, highlighted the importance of designated accessible seating for those with disabilities. Despite efforts to address the issue, the misuse of these seats remains a prevalent concern at major venues across the country.
In another incident, a Prince Edward Island couple encountered banking obstacles while trying to transfer their children’s RESP due to a name discrepancy. The couple’s attempt to move the funds to a different bank was hindered by discrepancies in the children’s last name on their accounts. The issue, stemming from a hyphen and space in the last name, has yet to be resolved after more than a year.
For more details on these stories and other updates, visit CBC’s Marketplace for in-depth coverage.
If you have any consumer protection experiences to share with Marketplace, reach out via email at marketplace@cbc.ca. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes of Marketplace on CBC Gem.