Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) Jamil Jivani took to social media to express his frustration about the lack of a viable alternative to the Liberal Party on the same day that Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre embarked on a tour in the U.S. advocating for tariff-free trade. In a video shared online, Jivani criticized individuals who should be presenting an alternative to the Liberals but instead seemed to be seeking favor from those in power.
Jivani emphasized the responsibility of himself and the Conservative Party to offer a distinct vision for Canada, highlighting the need for a stronger relationship with the United States, proactive measures to prevent economic crises, infrastructure development, and economic growth. He criticized the Liberal government for using tensions with the U.S. to deflect scrutiny, accused the media of labeling critics of Liberal policies as “traitors,” and condemned the government’s pursuit of closer ties with China.
While Jivani did not name Poilievre directly, his remarks coincided with the launch of Poilievre’s U.S. tour, prompting former Conservative cabinet minister Jason Kenney to rebuke Jivani. Kenney commended Poilievre for advocating for Canada and free trade, highlighting the support Poilievre received from other members of the Conservative caucus. Kenney criticized Jivani for not aligning with the leader’s initiatives and for posting a video that seemed self-serving.
Dimitri Soudas, former communications director for ex-Prime Minister Stephen Harper, questioned Jivani’s omission of mentioning the Conservative leader, suggesting that sometimes silence can speak volumes. Poilievre, during his U.S. tour, stressed the importance of Canada standing up for its sovereignty and fostering a robust relationship with the U.S. to counter shared strategic challenges, such as those posed by China.
CBC News reached out to both Poilievre’s and Jivani’s offices for comments. Poilievre, despite making several trips to the U.S., refrained from criticizing Prime Minister Mark Carney while urging the government to disclose trade deal details, recall Parliament, and analyze the impact of counter-tariffs. The Conservative leader has faced inquiries regarding Jivani’s views on U.S. relations in the past.
Jivani, known for his connections with U.S. Vice-President JD Vance, has engaged with U.S. trade officials during trips to Washington, D.C. In an interview with Breitbart News, Jivani criticized Canada’s approach to U.S. relations, prompting Poilievre to distance himself from Jivani’s remarks. Vance, in a speech, lauded Jivani for his advocacy efforts for Canada, contrasting him with Poilievre.
In response to Vance’s comments, Poilievre emphasized the importance of advocating for free trade with the U.S. amid strained relations. Jivani’s critique of the government’s handling of tariffs led to internal discord within the Conservative Party, with MP Kyle Seeback criticizing Jivani’s stance before later deleting his post.
