The rise of the finfluencer: Explosion of financial advice on social media comes with big risks for young Canadians

Alberta case highlights how beginner investors can be influenced by online figures with financial interests

Angela Amato, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Angela Amato is a Métis reporter based in Edmonton. Prior to joining the IJF, she worked as a general assignment reporter at the Regina Leader-Post and with the Canadian Press.
More posts by Angela Amato, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.
Bethany Lindsay
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Zak Vescera
Read more posts by this author.

Angela Amato, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter,
Bethany Lindsay,
Zak Vescera

19 February, 2025 • 7 min read

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'Finfluencer' Jay Floreani is shown offering financial tips in a collage of screenshots.

James Floreani attracted a big audience offering financial advice through his Jayconomics social media accounts. Now he faces possible penalties by the Alberta Securities Commission. (Jayconomics/Illustration by the Investigative Journalism Foundation)

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Starting in 2020, James Floreani began dispensing financial advice on multiple social media platforms, eventually attracting tens of thousands of followers.

But was he telling those followers the whole story about every stock he discussed?

The rise of the finfluencer: Explosion of financial advice on social media comes with big risks for young Canadians

Angela Amato, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Bethany Lindsay

Zak Vescera

Angela Amato, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter,
Bethany Lindsay,
Zak Vescera

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