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Rosemary Barton, Tiff Macklem, Kevin O’Leary: is the interview real?

Updated on November 7, 2026 · 2 min read

In this article
  1. What we detected
  2. What CBC, the press and regulators say
  3. The “At Issue” confrontation
  4. How the scam works
  5. How to check

We found no reliable source for an interview in which Rosemary Barton, Tiff Macklem or Kevin O’Leary recommends an investment platform. What we did find are ads that use their names to send Canadians to fraudulent platforms.

If you came here after seeing the video or article, do not leave your details and do not send money. If you already have, the steps to follow are at the bottom of this page.

What we detected

Between 26 October and 5 November 2026 we recorded 9 ads in Canada that used at least two of these names, including CBC’s Adrienne Arsenault. They led to six platforms:

The platform’s name changes all the time while the story stays the same, so searching for the name alone may not be enough.

What CBC, the press and regulators say

  • CBC reported Facebook ads with an AI-generated deepfake of Rosemary Barton that led to a dubious investment platform.
  • The Canadian Press rated as false an investment ad showing Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem.
  • Saskatchewan’s FCAA issued an investor alert about scams using Kevin O’Leary’s image and fake videos.
  • CBC also fact-checked a fake CBC interview with Galen Weston Jr., which shows the same format.

The “At Issue” confrontation

Some blog pages describe a heated on-air clash, for example Tiff Macklem walking off CBC’s At Issue or a showdown with Kevin O’Leary. We found no reliable outlet reporting anything like it. These stories have no verifiable source, and some claim that banks are trying to delete the footage, which is a typical way to explain why you cannot find it anywhere else.

How the scam works

  1. An ad hints at a leaked or “censored” TV moment.
  2. A page made to look like a news site tells the story and names a platform.
  3. A form asks for your name, email and phone number.
  4. A “consultant” calls soon after and asks for a first deposit.

How to check

  • Look for the segment on CBC’s own site or channels. If it only exists in an ad, it is not real.
  • Check the address of the page: a national broadcaster does not publish on an unknown domain.
  • Be wary of guaranteed returns or a deposit “to get started”.
  • Check the firm with the Canadian Securities Administrators’ National Registration Search before sending money.

To spot manipulated videos, see our guide to deepfakes in ads.

Weekly summary of the fraudulent investment platforms we detect in social media ads.Read this week’s report →

Already signed up or paid?

  1. Do not pay anything else, even if they ask for "taxes" or "fees" to release your money.
  2. Call your bank today: block your card and request a chargeback or a transfer recall. The sooner, the better your chances.
  3. Do not install anything they ask for (AnyDesk, TeamViewer…). If you did, uninstall it and change your passwords.
  4. Report it to the police and your country’s regulator, and keep screenshots, emails and phone numbers.
  5. Beware of "fund recovery" companies that will contact you promising to get your money back for a fee: they are almost always a second scam.

Keep reading

Guides on investment scams