Who exactly is Jamil Jivani?
For anyone who follows federal politics, the Conservative MP from Bowmanville-Oshawa North has been hard to miss over the past few months. That’s remarkable given that, having only won his seat in the House of Commons 23 months ago, he doesn’t have much of a political resumé.
Even so, the 38 year old has become a notable political personality thanks to his oddly charismatic style, his relentless use of social media and his tendency to say odd and often inflammatory things that backbenchers are usually reluctant to say.
Jamil Jivani, Conservative MP for Bowmanville-Oshawa North, is the Kim Kardashian of federal politics, a ruthless, ambitious social media influencer who rose to prominence for reasons that remain unclear, and whose fame is largely based on being famous, writes Dan Lett. (Chris Young / The Canadian Press files)
Jivani gained notoriety for semi-viral videos that offered unfiltered views on a variety of subjects: the “crisis” faced by young men who no longer get priority for jobs; the need for a moratorium on immigration; immediate measures to combat the “woke establishment” and critical race theory in public education.
He went from a curiosity to a viral political star earlier this month when he undertook a mission, on his own, to Washington to meet with his good university chum and now U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance and other officials. His said intention was to offer bipartisan support to Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney to secure a trade deal with the Trump administration.
Along with promoting his own unique style of bro-politics, Jivani also did an interview with the uber-right wing Breitbart News outlet in which he accused politicians from all parties, including his own, of engaging in an “anti-America hissy fit” over tariffs.
So, let’s ask again: who is Jamal Jivani?
He is the Kim Kardashian of federal politics, a ruthless, ambitious social media influencer who rose to prominence for reasons that remain unclear, and whose fame is largely based on being famous.
That may imply that Jivani is nothing more than a lightweight, the headline performer in a political circus sideshow. Lamentably for the Tories, Jivani may ultimately prove to be the final nail in the Conservative party’s coffin come the next election.
Nobody should dismiss out of hand the idea that when it comes to getting a better trade deal with the Trump administration, bipartisan co-operation, along with some sweetness to take the edge off an otherwise salty discourse, could move the needle in Canada’s favour.
However, Jivani’s biggest problem is that he’s so obsessed with blowing hot air into his social media profile, he doesn’t have enough energy left to read the room.
How badly did Jivani do reading the national mood? He was so off base that the leader of his party, Pierre Poilievre, effectively disavowed him this week.
Canadians do not want their federal government to hobnob with university chums who openly question Canada’s viability as a sovereign nation. No one can doubt Jivani’s credentials as a Vance acolyte; many Canadians no doubt question the value of that relationship.
Canadians are, generally speaking, hyper-concerned about multiple threats posed by the U.S. We are resentful that Trump tariffs have driven up prices and driven down economic growth. We believe, in the strong majority, that our sovereignty is at risk. A Nanos Research poll released Friday shows that 55 per cent of Canadians believe the U.S. is the greatest security threat facing the country; the next biggest threat, respondents said, was China, at 15 per cent.
Again, there is nothing wrong with advocating for civility in our negotiations with the U.S., but it’s another thing altogether to undermine the genuine concern and anger that Canadians and their politicians feel about the very real threats posed by Trump and Vance.
How badly did Jivani do reading the national mood? He was so off base that the leader of his party, Pierre Poilievre, effectively disavowed him this week.
Asked about Jivani’s “hissy fit” comment, Poilievre made it clear the rookie MP is not an opinion leader within the Tory party. Poilievre is a man who often uses 100 words when 10 would suffice. With Jivani, he was alarmingly curt.
“(Jivani) speaks for himself, and I speak for the party.”
It was hardly surprising to see Poilievre disavow Jivani. The Conservative leader knows better than anyone the danger of being seen as too chummy with the MAGAverse. Apparently, however, Poilievre’s crushing loss in last year’s federal election is not registering with Jivani, who is making Poilievre look weak at a time when he needs to look strong.
“(Jivani) speaks for himself, and I speak for the party.”
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For his own sake, if nothing else, one hopes Jivani starts to pay attention to the world around him. Like, literally in his own backyard.
Jivani represents Oshawa, a city that has been crippled by Trump tariffs on the automobile industry. General Motors has indicated that based on new tariffs, it is going to lay off 1,200 Ontario autoworkers, 500 of which are in Jivani’s riding.
Perhaps Canada could leverage some personal relationships to help save the continental trade pact that Trump is trying to dismantle. But Vance gives off no signs he is willing to back off the threatening hyperbole he has uttered about Canada because a friend from uni asked him to.
Jivani is no doubt enjoying his five minutes of fame. But while he has occupied the limelight, all he has shown Canadians is that as a statesman and a political strategist, Jivani would make an excellent podcast host.
dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca
Dan Lett is a columnist for the Free Press, providing opinion and commentary on politics in Winnipeg and beyond. Born and raised in Toronto, Dan joined the Free Press in 1986. Read more about Dan.
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