2014/2015 Archive Page

April 18

Experts probe use of stem cells to treat hockey legend Gordie Howe

Did a radical stem cell treatment help Gordie Howe recover from a stroke that left him paralyzed on his right side and almost ended his life last year? 10

Detroit Red Wings' star Gordie Howe, wearing a prominent bruise over his right eye, compares miniature trophy he received with the large statue in New York, Feb. 20, 1967, after he received the Lester Patrick Memorial Trophy for long and meritorious service to the sport in the U.S. (AP / Dave Pickoff)

IN PICTURES: 'Mr. Hockey' Gordie Howe

See almost 50 photos from Gordie Howe's long career.

This undated image made available by the journal Nature shows a mouse embryo formed with specially-treated cells from a newborn mouse that had been transformed into stem cells. (AP / RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology, Haruko Obokata)

7 things to know about stem cell treatments

Get up to speed with this primer on stem cells.

W5 nursing home investigation reveals 1,500 cases of staff-to-resident abuse in one year

Over the course of a year long investigation, W5 uncovered at least 1,500 cases of staff-to-resident abuse and neglect in nursing homes across Canada in 2013.

W5: Access to Information requests on staff-to-resident abuse in care homes.

Access to Information: what we uncovered

See the documents obtained by a year-long W5 investigation here.

Footage captured by a hidden camera shows a care worker pushing and roughly handling home resident Hellen MacDonald.

Setting up a hidden camera? Read this

Some people have set up so-called “granny cams. Should the audio recording be turned on or off?

Miranda Ferrier, president of the Ontario Personal Support Worker Associatio, says it is important to inquire and learn as much about your care provider as possible.

Personal Support Workers: What to ask

PSWs are not regulated or governed, so ask these questions.

March 28

Hidden camera investigation reveals chicken slaughterhouse practices

Undercover video shot by Mercy for Animals Canada alleges undue suffering at a chicken slaughterhouse. 2
Most new car dealerships fail mystery shopper test: Calgary survey

We’ve all seen them – car dealership ads promising deep discounts or low monthly payments on brand new cars. But does the promise in the pitch disappear at the dealership door? 2

An APA mystery shopper enters a Calgary new car dealership.

Which dealerships passed?

Three dealerships surveyed by the APA ran honest ads and were able to honour their advertised prices.

Infographic: Alberta's all-in pricing, explained

What costs must be included in ads for new cars? This infographic explains.

Responses from dealerships

After APA mystery shoppers visited new car dealerships in Calgary, we reached out to management at dealerships included in the W5 story.

March 21

March 14

Aggressive coaching under the microscope at prestigious Victoria private school

When does tough coaching cross a line from encouragement to verbal and emotional abuse? That was the issue faced by parents, students and staff at a prominent private school in Victoria, B.C., well-known for its most famous alumnus, two-time NBA MVP basketball player, Steve Nash. 2
Rebel with a song: An exclusive with Chinese-Canadian pop star Wanting Qu

Vancouver pop singer-songwriter Wanting Qu is a celebrity most Canadians have scarcely heard of, and yet she is one of the most famous artists in the world. 2

February 28

Gambling on Extinction: Exposing the global trade that threatens elephants and rhinos

This week, we turn the lens on the war between poachers and wildlife in Africa. A war which the most-endangered species are losing, as demand for illegal wildlife products like ivory and rhino horn drive a thriving, multi-billion dollar underground industry. 5

2015 Canadian Screen Awards winner
Deadly dispute: Calling for accountability from the RCMP after former soldier shot dead

FEBRUARY 14

W5 investigates

The possible links between common infection and psychiatric and neurological disorders in children.

What it's like to buy weed, legally

Remember how disorienting it was the first time you went into a liquor or beer store and purchased booze? My first visit to a legal weed store felt a lot like that. 3

15 bizarre facts about weed in Colorado

Colorado was the first American state to start selling legalized recreational marijuana, resulting in some quirky outcomes.

Legalized marijuana: By the numbers

How much money is the state pulling in off legal sales?

The Flag

Seeking the origins of the Maple Leaf flag, finding the soul of our nation

Kevin Newman writes about his memories of the Canadian flag, from when it first appeared in his Grade 3 class to the fixture that it is today - and the other flags we could've had, uncovered in a W5 investigation. 3

February 7

Fake jersey business alive and kicking despite Chinese crackdown

This W5/TSN investigation examines the ways in which sports fans are being deceived by fake tickets, how some sports memorabilia may not be what it seems, and how bogus team jerseys make their way into the Canadian marketplace. 5

Counterfeit jerseys seized by police are shown in this handout photo. Avoid jerseys with bubbling and colour differentiation, experts warn.

How the RCMP is helping victims

The RCMP is helping to recoup as much as $5 million per year for customers.

Experts suggest buyers avoid print-at-yourself tickets and instead buy physical tickets.

How to avoid fake tickets

How can you avoid getting scammed out of counterfeit tickets for live sports and events? Here are some tips.

January 31

Bungled arms case results in multi-million dollar secret settlement by federal government

A Vancouver businessman has been paid millions of dollars in a secret settlement with the Canadian government after the Canada Border Services Agency wrongly accused him of exporting military technology to China in violation of export controls, a W5 investigation reveals. 3
W5: Inside the complicated mind of Howie Mandel

In our lengthy W5 interview airing this weekend, Mandel opens up about an episode in his youth that his therapists believe has been a very big trigger in his Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. 2

January 17

W5: Family living through 'life sentence' after Eaton Centre shooting

W5 followed Connor Stevenson's amazing recovery over several months. He survived four surgeries and over 1,000 stitches. Now, two-and-a-half years after the Eaton Centre shooting, there are still lasting effects. 4

Infographic

Highlights of our investigation into how pigs are transported.

Gov't Response

W5's exchange with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

In 2006, Manitoba NDP government introduced a moratorium on any new hog barns.

Industry Response

Western Hog Exchange launches independent investigation.

Getting to know the Westminster dog show's top judge, a Canadian woman

The Westminster dog show is America’s most famous and prestigious pageant for dogs. Millions tune in every year not only to watch the dogs, but the judge - a Canadian. 1

W5 uncovers 300 suicide deaths by patients in Canadian hospitals

W5 has discovered that in hundreds of cases, suicidal patients have taken their own lives while under close watch in hospitals across Canada. 2

Methodology

W5 spent months finding out how often patients are able to take their own lives in hospitals.

Beyond the statistics

W5 has assembled a gallery of people who took their own lives while in the care of a hospital.

Interactive Map

At which hospitals and health facilities in Canada have patient suicides taken place?

Closer look at the numbers

Highlights from the hospital data uncovered by W5 via freedom of information.

Coroner recommendations

Key findings from coroner investigations following inpatient suicides

Canada's major contribution to the war against Ebola

W5 was given exclusive access to the Winnipeg ultra-secure lab that has been working on vaccines and a drug to fight Ebola. 2

April 26

Travis Baumgartner story: Recounting the chaos of Alberta's armoured car shooting

June 15, 2012: An armoured truck pulls up at the Hub Mall, a student residence at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Four guards and a trainee are there to restock an ATM machine with cash. It's just a routine run until, suddenly, shots are fired. 4

April 19

Veal industry under scrutiny after hidden camera footage reveals horrific conditions, abuse

Disturbing images revealed in undercover video footage shows baby calves, just weeks old, are kicked, punched, slapped and yelled at by barn employees in Pont Rouge, Quebec. The video was obtained by CTV’s W5 as part of its investigative report on the Quebec veal industry. 2
Anthony Bennett busts barriers on path to NBA

Anthony Bennett reveals to W5 his enduring love for the community where he grew up, and the challenges of rising through the ranks to the NBA. 2

April 12

Annual survey of used car market finds deceitful dealers, rebuilt wrecks

In its annual investigation W5 teams up with the Automobile Protection Association (APA) to examine the Canadian car industry and finds deceitful dealers, dubious practices and rebuilt wrecks. 3

APA inspectors examine a vehicle lifted on a hoist, determining it had been involved in a collision that was not properly disclosed.

APA Report Intro

Read about what APA inspectors found in their investigation

APA Report - Full details

Learn more about the vehicles and the shops investigated.

Chinese economic growth at a cost: Pollution poisons lakes, rivers and skies

Today, streets in China are jammed with the new sign of the country's upwardly mobile middle class: automobiles. Beijing has 20 million residents, five million cars, and a huge pollution problem. And the thick soup that obscures the sun is man-made.

April 5

Behind the secret world of Canada's covert commandos

W5 follows our special ops forces as they get ready to fight terrorists in Africa, with unprecedented access as the team allows cameras inside for the first time ever.
Unique program connects children with fathers in prison

About 180,000 kids have a parent in prison and must endure the isolation and often guilt by association. But a unique and innovative program is offering support to both the kids and their incarcerated fathers.

March 29

W5: Use of Force by RCMP Emergency Response Teams in Northern B.C. Questioned

There is a lot of human emotion in the work we do at W5 and sometimes it rises to searing levels. One of those stories is our investigation into the shooting deaths of Rodney Jackson and Greg Matters, two men who never met each other, but shared the same fate. 4

(University of Saskatchewan, University Archives & Special Collections, John G. Diefenbaker fonds)

Gallery: See the flags

Designs that could've been our flag, and the finalists that made the cut.

Infographic

How did we get our flag? What did we have before? The designs, the history and the intrigue.

March 15 on W5

The inside story: How a trip to the Toronto Eaton Centre turned into horror

The broad strokes of Connor Stevenson's story about his near-death experience in the Eaton Centre are well known, but the fine points have only emerged over six months of rare access Connor's family gave to CTV’s W5 to document their journey back to life. 4
Sydney tar ponds have been cleaned up but ghosts of toxic past remain

For a new generation in Sydney, N.S. the tar ponds are now a buried memory, but today people are still feeling the repercussions of living near one of the most toxic places in Canada. 1

March 8 on W5

Canadian woman's quest to adopt son, help people of Kenya, sets precedent

This week Kimothy Walker, from CTV Ottawa, joins W5 for a special story about love, family and helping others who are less fortunate.
Hard work and passion as Clara Hughes gets ready to ride for mental health awareness

W5’s Tom Kennedy joins six-time Canadian Olympic medalist Clara Hughes as she prepares for an epic cross-country journey for Clara’s Big Ride to raise awareness for mental health.

Feb. 22 on W5 - PIPELINE WAR

Enbridge record questioned, company vows to do better as Line 9 pipeline decision nears

W5 investigates the pipeline war being waged over the future of Enbridge's Line 9 oil pipe, which runs from Montreal, through Toronto and to Sarnia, Ont.

A sign for the Enbridge Line 9 oil pipeline is seen in North Dumfries, Ont., on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2013.

Research

W5 discovers Line 9 had significantly more spills than stated

Map

Interactive map of spills and other incidents along Line 9

Infographic

A snapshot of the spill and product release numbers obtained by W5

Feb. 22 on W5 - SOLDIER'S JOURNEY

Art imitates life for British Afghan war vets, starring wounded Canadian

W5 speaks with Newfoundland’s Cassidy Little, an ex-solider and the lead in the British production "The Two Worlds of Charlie F." who describes how he joined the British Army on a dare and served in Afghanistan, losing a leg in the explosion of an improvised explosive device.

FEB. 15 ON W5

W5 exposes tactics behind online predators, police who bust them

As Canadian children are "wired" an average of seven hours a day on laptops, tablets, and cell phones, there are an estimated 750,000 predators online worldwide right now, lurking, "liking" and learning the online activities of underaged users.
Saskatoon care home offers unique approach for residents with dementia

In the past three seasons, W5 has been reporting about the crisis of violence in Canadian long-term care homes. In our latest episode, we'll feature a Saskatoon care home offering a unique approach for residents with dementia.

FEB. 8 on W5

W5: Taxpayers face huge penalties after bad advice

Many Canadians seek advice from tax experts to make sure they only pay what they owe. But what happens if you pay thousands of dollars and then get bad advice?
W5: The ballooning cost of modern love

W5 takes viewers inside the modern world of weddings – a $4 billion-a-year industry in Canada. From wedding designers to Hollywood-style videos, themed events to spectacular locations, weddings have come a long way from a church ceremony, quick photos, and a night at the local hall.

FEB. 1 ON W5

Two Ontario teens undergo radical treatment for obesity

Regardless of age, obesity can bring on a raft of health concerns. But for children and teens, those health problems are often compounded by less obvious side effects. W5 follows two teens through a radical program to treat their obesity and help them find normal lives.

JAN. 18 ON W5

Olympic hero Laumann reveals triumphs, dark past in W5 interview

In the first TV interview about her autobiography “Unsinkable,” we learn that Silken Laumann has had to overcome many challenges in her life and careers, some less public but still deeply personal and painful.
Canadian trauma doc in Chicago copes with gunshot victims that just 'roll in, roll in, roll in'

In 2012 Chicago police logged 506 homicides and 2,460 shootings, making it the most murderous city in the U.S. A frightening environment for most people, but for a surgeon who admits to being "addicted to trauma," it's the perfect place to hone his skills.

JAN. 11 ON W5

Collateral damage in Mexico's war on drugs

Canadian Pavel Kulisek spent more than three years in Mexican prisons. Now, for the first time he talks about his ordeal and what kept him sane during all that time.

JAN. 4 ON W5

Undercover investigation reveals horrific conditions within egg industry

W5 obtained secretly recorded video from animal rights group Mercy for Animals Canada (MFAC) that gives a glimpse into the shocking state of Canada’s egg industry and the disturbing conditions some chickens endure.

Nov. 30 on W5

Internet dating scams: who's preying on those seeking romance online?

W5 finds conmen and schemers who use love as the lure in the world of online dating.

The final days of the doctor who helped create our palliative care system

Dr. Larry Librach, champion of our palliative care system, decided to share his final weeks and days with W5.

Why are suicide rates rising among university students?

A W5 investigation into the epidemic of mental health problems on university campuses and the rising number of suicides. 2

'Dog tags' takes on new meaning in program for soldiers with PTSD

Canadian soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder are getting help from 37 psychiatric service dogs in a program developed in Manitoba by George Leonard, a certified dog trainer who is part of an aboriginal group that has trained more than 350 service dogs of all kinds.

Wife of slain Toronto police officer has personal stake in changes to law affecting NCR designation

Nov. 23 on W5

Former orphanage residents allege child abuse, neglect, beatings and sexual assault

Approximately 100 former residents, united in their childhood suffering, are speaking out for the first time about the horrific mental, physical and sexual abuse they suffered while at the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children.

Nov. 16 on W5

Mega lotteries: fun to play but how much do charities really benefit?

An investigation into these lotteries which often offer glamorous prizes that include dream homes, luxury cars, and extravagant vacation getaways.

Nov. 2 on W5

What's behind the sudden rise in childhood narcolepsy?

Avis Favaro looks into the possible new cause for a rare sleeping disorder.

Olympic Battle: Furlong fights to clear name of al

John Furlong fights to clear his name

Lisa LaFlamme interviews the former Vancouver Olympics organizer.

It's estimated that Canadians gave $750-million to charity lotteries in just one year.

Map

An interactive map which shows where the money is going.

Kennedy assassination fascinates amid questions of what if he had lived

W5 explores the most investigated murder in history and the profound fascination – and in some cases, obsession – with President John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s death.

Sept 28 on W5

Homicide in care homes: W5 investigation reveals national crisis

Why is there a rise in homicides in long-term care homes across Canada? And what can be done about it? W5 investigates. 4

MAP: 41 homicides in long-term care homes during the past 12 years (W5)

Map

Where the 41 murders in long-term care homes took place

Solutions

How to stop the abuse in seniors homes

2015 Canadian Screen Awards winner
Deadly dispute: Calling for accountability from the RCMP after former soldier shot dead

OCT 5 ON W5

What do senators do? Finding out proves difficult, if not impossible

After months of headlines about Canadian senators, 65 of them, almost two-thirds, chose to keep their activities for the month of September a secret. Here's what else W5 discovered about your senators.

Full Interview 1

Extended video: Sen. Mobina Jaffer on getting appointed to the Senate

Full Interview 2

Extended video: Sen. Hugh Segal on pushing for Senate reform

Fields of Dreams Update: ASC charges Ron Aitkens

The Best of W5

The Liberation Treatment

The Entertainers

Previous Investigations

CTV Fridays 10pm / 9pm central

Committed to Investigative Journalism

With an ongoing commitment to covering tough, relevant stories with fair and responsible reporting, W5 is in its 58th season of investigative journalism. W5 is the most-watched documentary program in Canada, and the winner of several awards including the prestigious Gordon Sinclair Award for Broadcast Journalism.

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