Go to main content

CBC NEWS'S MARKETPLACE INVESTIGATES HOSPITAL PARKING FEES: ARE THEY A TAX ON THE SICK?

HOSPITAL PARKING PAIN AIRS FRIDAY,
MARCH 29 AT 8 P.M. (8:30 NT) ON CBC-TV

Hospitals across the country are raising their parking rates. They say they need the money to support patient care. But what does this mean for patients and their families? On this week’s MARKETPLACE, Erica Johnson investigates hospital parking in major centres across the country and reveals who’s really making money off those lots. With hidden cameras and interviews at some of Canada’s top hospitals, Johnson follows the money and asks why hospitals and private companies are allowed to make so much money off of sick patients.

Hospital Parking Pain airs on CBC News’s MARKETPLACE, Friday, March 29 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) on CBC-TV.

Some people are constantly at the hospital, whether for their own illness or caring for a loved one, and can end up paying thousands on hospital parking. As one doctor told MARKETPLACE, “It’s a tax on my cancer patients.” This week on MARKETPLACE, see how far some people are going - and the risks they’re taking - to cut the costs, and why people are fighting back.

And if the meter runs out and you get a ticket at the hospital, where does the money go? Johnson makes some surprising discoveries in this week’s Hospital Parking Pain.

Join Erica Johnson for a live web chat about hospital parking fees this Thursday, March 28 at 1 p.m. ET at cbc.ca/marketplace.

MARKETPLACE airs Fridays at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) on CBC Television and. MARKETPLACE also airs Saturdays at 9:30 p.m. ET and Sundays at 5:30 p.m. ET on CBC News Network.

For more information on MARKETPLACE, visit our website at cbc.ca/marketplace, join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/cbcErica and twitter.com/cbctom. The executive producer is Tassie Notar.

To view past episodes of MARKETPLACE and other CBC programming, visit CBC Player, download the CBC app for your mobile devices, and download CBC podcasts.

cbc.ca/marketplace
facebook.com/marketplace
@cbctom
@cbcerica
@cbcmarketplace
-30 -


About CBC News
For more than 75 years, CBC has been the source Canadians turn to, to keep them informed about their communities, their country and their world. Through regional and national programming on multiple platforms, including CBC Television, CBC News Network, CBC Radio, CBCNews.ca, mobile and on-demand, CBC News and its internationally recognized team of award-winning journalists deliver the breaking stories, the issues, the analyses and the personalities that matter to Canadians.

About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages.

About CBC’s New In-House Publicity Team
CBC’s new team of in-house publicists are delivering a comprehensive publicity service for all CBC programming and events. For a complete list of publicity contacts and for more information including series synopses, press releases, hi-res images, video clips and bios, please visit the new CBC Media Centre at cbc.ca/mediacentre.

For further information, or to request interviews, contact:
Corey Black, News and Current Affairs publicist, CBC
416.205.8710 (office)/647.221.4133 (mobile)
Corey.Black@CBC.ca

Discover

March 25th at 15:00

New to CBC Gem in April

Highlights of programs new to CBC Gem this April include CBC’s great Canadian book debate, Canada Reads, returning for its 25th edition from April 13 through April 16; new two-part CBC original POV documentary Speechless (April 14); and new CBC original series Must Love Dogs (April 20, pictured). 
February 20th at 12:20

New to CBC Gem in March 2026

March on CBC Gem includes coverage of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games from March 6–15; new original CBC docuseries Cirque Life (March 19, also on CBC TV); The 55th Annual JUNO Awards (live on March 29) hosted by Mae Martin; and the Spotlight on Canadian Film Collection, including CBC Films' titles such as D.W. Waterson's Backspot (pictured). 
February 17th at 5:45

CBC Greenlights Six Original Kids Series

CBC today announced the greenlight of six new and returning original kids series from Canadian creators and producers, reinforcing the national public broadcaster’s commitment to serve children and families with homegrown storytelling that inspires, entertains and informs. 
February 9th at 10:32

Just for Laughs, NorthWest Comedy & CBC Announce Production of CBC Gem Original Series THE NEW WAVE OF STANDUP Season 7

Make ‘em laugh… The New Wave of Standup Season 7 brings together another incredible array of 14 comedians from across the country. The live show taping returns to the iconic Gastown establishment, Guilt & Co. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. 
January 26th at 12:50

Dragons’ Den Full Circle finale event to close milestone Season 20, airing February 26 and March 5 on CBC and CBC Gem

CBC’s hit series Dragons’ Den will mark its milestone 20th season with a two-episode, Full Circle finale event on Thursday, February 26 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) and Thursday, March 5 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) on CBC and the free CBC Gem streaming service.