OTTAWA — Conservative MP Jamil Jivani is actively engaging with various initiatives despite not having a formal critic assignment. The Yale Law School graduate has launched the "Restore the North" initiative, which features a website filled with petitions addressing issues such as reversing Liberal immigration policies, combating open-air drug use, and increasing access to oral nicotine products like Zyn. Recently, during a question period in the House of Commons, Jivani drew attention to nicotine pouches, prompting shouts of "Free the Zyn!" from fellow MPs.

Jivani, 38, explained that his initiatives reflect the sentiments of Canadians, particularly young people. He has been meeting with youth across the country and recently began a campus tour with fellow Conservative MP Ned Kuruc. Next week, he will host a conference in Ottawa focused on what he describes as a leftist form of racism, which U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has termed "the soft bigotry of low expectations."

In a recent interview, Jivani discussed the upcoming National Forum to End Liberal Racism. He emphasized the importance of addressing what he sees as positive discrimination in government policies, particularly regarding hiring and promotions. "The idea behind ending Liberal racism is to acknowledge that a lot of what the federal government does right now is out of line with core values that I think a lot of Canadians have, which is that people should be treated fairly and equally," he said.

Jivani criticized government policies that he believes discriminate against individuals based on their identity group. He stated, "On one end, it excludes a lot of people from opportunities, and that is, in and of itself, a classic case of discrimination. On the other side, for people from the identity groups who may be included in these policies, it is a gesture towards us that indicates a stamp of inferiority."

He also expressed concern about voluntary self-identification boxes on job applications, arguing they imply that minorities are less capable than other candidates. Jivani has invited all Liberal MPs to the forum, which will feature presentations from Conservative MPs Shuvaloy Majumdar, Sandra Cobena, and Vincent Ho, but noted that none have RSVP'd yet.

Jivani's current stance appears to contrast with themes from his 2018 book, "Why Young Men," where he discussed the importance of mentorship and community support in overcoming challenges. He believes his views have evolved, stating, "What I learned, I think, from the time I wrote my book till now is just being a lot more sensitive to how race can be used to mask some of the very serious issues in our communities and in our country."

He highlighted the need to focus on class and broader social dynamics rather than solely on race. Jivani's friend, Kwesi Opoku, remarked that Jivani's views resonate with many in the Black community, who may not support affirmative action or diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. "Most Black folks see themselves as not inferior, being able to compete with anybody," Opoku said.

Despite the ongoing drama within the Conservative Party, including recent defections and resignations, Jivani remains focused on his work. He expressed indifference to the internal conflicts, stating, "I don’t mean to say it dismissively, because I understand there’s a lot of attention on the drama, but like I just don’t care, dude. I’m just focused on getting my job done."

Jivani has also addressed concerns about his rising profile and its implications for his relationship with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. He affirmed his commitment to the party, saying, "We’re a team. Every event I go to, there are multiple MPs there... I’m proud to be part of the team."

Political strategist Cole Hogan noted that Jivani's expanding digital presence, including multiple websites and a YouTube series, mirrors Poilievre's approach to building a personal brand within the Conservative Party. Political science professor Alex Marland suggested that Jivani's initiatives reflect the party's need to recalibrate its messaging following recent electoral losses. "The closer you get to an election, the more urgency of unity of message there is," Marland said.

As Jivani continues to advocate for his causes, he remains committed to engaging with Canadians and addressing issues he believes are critical to the country's future.