CBC Says Goodbye As CTV Says Hello To Kevin O’Leary

Financial and investment gurus are likely sharing in the heartbreak of CBC’s Chief Business Correspondent Amanda Lang.  Lang’s longtime business show partner and foil Kevin O’Leary is leaving the CBC’s Lang & O’Leary Exchange for a similar program on CTV.  Lang will remain with CBC and begin hosting a new business show in the fall.

On the Exchange, O’Leary was unabashedly pro-capitalist and served as an extreme counterpart to Lang’s more balanced approach to business.  O’Leary had a number of famous catchphrases that reoccurred throughout episodes of the show since its inception 5 years ago:

·         We should lower corporate taxes

·         Unions are evil

·         Governments are evil

·         You will be crushed like the cockroach you are

He also caused a number of controversial moments that the CBC was forced to handle, including times when he called guests that were interviewed by Lang “Indian givers” or “left wing nut bars.” O’Leary also had a famous debate with 14 year old girl Rachel Parent over the use of GMO Foods in Canada and elsewhere – O’Leary being in favour and Parent the voice of the opposition.

In addition to leaving the CBC, O’Leary recently closed one of his companies, ‘O’Leary Mortgages’, which was reportedly done on the recommendation of close advisors.  The belief is that O’Leary’s reputation runs counter to the type of lender that Canadians look for when they apply for a mortgage.