Poilievre Distances Conservative Party from MP's Controversial 'Hissy Fit' Remarks
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has publicly distanced himself and his party from comments made by Ontario MP Jamil Jivani, who characterized some Canadian reactions to U.S. policies as an anti-American "hissy fit." Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Poilievre emphasized that Jivani's statements represent his personal views, not the official stance of the Conservative Party.
Diverging Views on U.S.-Canada Relations
During a recent interview with Breitbart News, Jamil Jivani discussed his trip to Washington, where he met with senior U.S. administration officials, including Vice President JD Vance and briefly with President Donald Trump. Jivani described efforts to build bridges between the two nations ahead of the scheduled review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement.
However, several minutes into the interview, Jivani addressed domestic backlash he faced for engaging with Trump officials, stating, "We are shooting ourselves in the foot if we continue this anti-America... hissy fit, and this is the kind of reason I'm trying to talk into our government and some of the liberals who have just gone way off the reservation on this."
Poilievre's Firm Rejection
When questioned about whether he agreed with Jivani's assessment, Poilievre responded unequivocally: "The answer is no." He elaborated, "Canadians are legitimately upset by the unjustifiable tariffs and comments that the president has made." Poilievre further clarified the distinction between individual and party positions, stating, "Jivani speaks for himself and I speak for the party."
The Conservative leader acknowledged having spoken with Jivani about the remarks, confirming their most recent conversation occurred on Tuesday. Poilievre outlined his perspective: "My message is that Canadians are understandably upset about the tariffs and the comments that President Trump has made, and that we need to focus on what we can do here at home."
Context and Political Implications
Jivani's interview aired on Saturday, following his Washington visit where he engaged with U.S. officials to discuss bilateral relations. The MP represents Bowmanville—Oshawa North, a riding with many autoworkers affected by layoffs and uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariffs. Poilievre noted he encourages all MPs to advocate for their constituents, recognizing the particular challenges in Jivani's constituency.
Prior to the Breitbart interview airing, Jivani had informed National Post that he debriefed both Poilievre and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc about his trip, expressing willingness to assist the Carney government. When asked if his actions might have concerned caucus colleagues, Jivani responded, "that may be the case," adding that individuals should be asked for their perspectives directly.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions in U.S.-Canada relations, particularly regarding trade policies and diplomatic approaches. Poilievre's public distancing underscores the Conservative Party's careful navigation of these sensitive issues while maintaining focus on domestic concerns and legitimate Canadian grievances regarding American trade actions.
