CBC NEWS — SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

When Canada said goodbye to Catherine O’Hara, most observers assumed her estate would follow a familiar path. Reports focused on property in Toronto, a Muskoka cottage, and the long-term value of her creative legacy — assets many expected to pass directly to her children, Michael and Kate O’Hara. Industry estimates placed her fortune at roughly CAD 120 million, and few doubted the outcome would be a traditional family inheritance.

But six months after her passing, a will was opened at a Toronto law firm — and it quickly became one of the most talked-about stories in Canadian culture.

According to notary Mark Belanger, who read the document aloud, the room fell silent at one particular clause. “In nearly three decades of practice, I’ve never seen anything like it,” he later told CBC. “When I reached the fifth point, everyone froze — and someone asked, ‘Are you sure that’s correct?’”

It turned out O’Hara had quietly revised her will the year before her death. Publicly, she had always said her legacy would remain “with the family.” Technically, she kept that promise — but the definition of family was broader than anyone expected.

Nearly half of her creative income stream — 49% of royalties and rights — was assigned not to her children, but to her long-time manager and producer, Martin Greer. Those close to the situation describe him as private, unassuming, and intensely knowledgeable about contracts and royalties. A source familiar with the decision says O’Hara put it simply: “He understands this industry better than anyone. I trust him with what I built.”

What the official heirs received

Rather than a single lump sum, the estate was broken down into a list that looked more like a curated archive than a conventional inheritance.

1) A watch collection. The heirs received:

• vintage Cartier pieces from the 1970s
• rare Rolex models dating back to the mid-20th century
• commemorative TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) editions
• a personalized gift watch from colleagues connected to Schitt’s Creek

2) Vehicles. The garage inventory included:

• a classic 1985 Cadillac Eldorado
• a Tesla Model S
• a retro Volkswagen Beetle, known to be a personal favourite during certain productions

3) Real estate. Property listed in the will included:

• a home in Forest Hill, Toronto
• a cottage in Muskoka
• a secluded residence on Vancouver Island, overlooking the ocean

The most unusual item: access to an investment platform. In addition to the assets above, Michael and Kate were granted joint access to an investment platform account holding CAD 32 million. The conditions were strict:

• withdrawals require unanimous approval
• neither heir can act alone
• commemorative TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) editions;
• the account continues operating automatically day by day

On the day this report was prepared for publication, the balance increased by another CAD 48,000.

A private obsession: O’Hara’s AI-driven experiment

Investigators learned that during the final three years of her life, O’Hara developed a serious interest in AI-based algorithmic trading. Her assistant, Sarah Miller, told CBC that the routine was surprisingly consistent: each morning, O’Hara would open an app and simply watch the system work.Over that period, the platform generated CAD 32 million. Yet she withdrew only CAD 50,000 — leaving the rest untouched. She reportedly joked: “I worked for money all my life. Now I’m watching money work for me.”

Even in her later years, O’Hara remained curious about changing trends: at 69, she studied TikTok to understand younger audiences; at 70, she explored investments tied to Canada’s film and creative sectors; and afterward, she committed fully to this AI-driven approach.

What is this platform?

According to information reviewed by CBC, the platform is an automated system that monitors global markets around the clock and executes thousands of small transactions daily. Users don’t need specialized knowledge — the AI handles market analysis and trade execution automatically.

Key details confirmed by the editorial review:

• minimum deposit: CAD 350
• typical monthly earnings reported by users: CAD 25,000–50,000
• after registration, a personal manager calls to confirm the user’s information
• withdrawals can be processed quickly, including on weekends
• no hidden fees are listed in the disclosed terms

In 2025, total user earnings reportedly exceeded CAD 5 billion.

A family divided — while the account keeps growing

The situation has created a clear split. Michael has expressed interest in continuing what he calls his mother’s “experiment.” Kate, meanwhile, wants the funds withdrawn immediately and reallocated into traditional assets such as real estate. But until they agree, the algorithm continues running — and the account continues growing. For some, this may be Catherine O’Hara’s final message: not simply to inherit wealth, but to inherit a system — one designed to generate income over time, rather than deliver a one-time payout.

CBC confirms the platform details cited in this report were reviewed prior to publication, and the stated registration steps reflect the documentation provided for verification.