Ontario’s premier says a newly elected Conservative MP wouldn’t be anywhere without him.
Doug Ford claimed credit for Jamil Jivani’s success in response to the Durham MP-elect’s byelection night claim that “liberal elites” are ingrained in Ontario’s education ministry.
“I gave that young man an opportunity. He showed up. No one even knew who he was. Came in my office, I gave him an incredible opportunity,” said Ford at a press conference Friday.
“To be very frank, you go to root cause he wouldn’t even be where he is if I didn’t give him that opportunity.”
In his victory speech after winning a byelection Monday, Jivani blamed “liberal elites” for many problems facing Canadians today.
“When we talk about what’s happening in the country right now, I do think it’s liberal elites betraying the working class. When I say liberal elites, I am talking about Justin Trudeau and the Liberal party,” he said.
“I’m also talking about the liberal elites who run the Ontario Ministry of Education in this province… the liberal elites who are activists and academics trying to consistently undermine law enforcement and public safety, leaving the most vulnerable Canadians with fewer protections from our justice system,” said Jivani.
In an interview Thursday on True North’s The Andrew Lawton Show, Jivani elaborated by saying that on the education file, the Ontario PCs “have upheld a policy agenda that is very similar to what you might have seen with a Liberal government in power. They have focused on a lot of virtue signalling. They are focused on race politics. Meanwhile, the average student in Ontario is still struggling with math, with reading, with writing.”
Jivani has not responded to Ford’s comments directly, but shortly after, he posted a picture with his mom to X.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without my mother, the real MVP. Love you mom,” said Jivani, on International Women’s Day.
Ontario’s premier said that if the MP-elect came to him, he could provide some lessons on how to speak to his constituents.
Ford said that Jivani should focus on putting money back into the pockets of his constituents and the carbon tax.
“We’re going to do great for his riding that he’s going to represent. I want to wish him all the best. And hopefully, he wins that riding,” he said.
Despite being considered illiterate in Grade 10, Jivani received a scholarship to study law at Yale University by age 22.
Jivani said in his victory speech that the liberal elites are holding back middle and working class Canadians from prosperity, calling out telecom executives, big banks and left-wing activists.
“What all of these folks have in common is that they are serving a privileged few while turning the backs on the majority of people in this country,” said Jivani.
To make any notable difference in Canada right now, you have to fight for the middle and working class, he said.
Durham’s MP-elect said the media are not interested in providing an objective view of what’s happening.
“I will not be someone who’s going to get pushed around by journalists who think if they give me bad coverage, I’m going to change my values. I was elected because of my values, and I will continue to stand for them.”
Ford was asked about the apparent tension between his party and the federal Conservatives.
“I have no tension between the federal Conservatives,” he said, adding that he is open to working with anyone as long as it’s in the province’s best interest.
