CBC Pundit Censured for “Indian Giver” Comment

Kevin O’Leary made the inflammatory remark on an Oct. 4, 2010 episode of the Lang & O’Leary Exchange.

In his report, CBC Ombudsman Kirk LaPointe found that O’Leary’s comments were “unambiguously offensive” and “out of keeping with the values CBC has worked for decades to espouse and fortify.” The famously brash O’Leary used the term “Indian giver” during a heated exchange with his co-host Amanda Lang about the potential takeover of Saskatchewan’s Potash Corp. by an Australian company, referring to the once popular perception that First Nations people were dishonest traders. While the producers of the Lang & O’Leary Exchange have apologized to Alex Jamieson, the aboriginal viewer who complained, O’Leary is a contracted commentator and can’t be compelled by the network to express his regret. CBC was considering making an on-air apology.