Washington/Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Conservative MP Jamil Jivani’s trip to Washington to meet political and business leaders has drawn a cautious response from the federal government, with senior officials questioning the scope and mandate of his outreach.
Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday expressed skepticism about the Bowmanville–Oshawa North MP’s role in Canada–U.S. relations, noting that Jivani is neither the minister of international trade nor the Conservative Party’s trade critic. Carney confirmed, however, that Canada–U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc had briefed Jivani before his departure to the U.S. capital.
Jivani, a longtime friend of U.S. Vice-President JD Vance, said in a video posted on social media that he believes he has “something to offer to help build bridges of communication between our two countries.” He has positioned his visit as an effort to engage informally with American political and business circles amid strained bilateral trade relations.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said she hopes Jivani uses his meetings to highlight the recent closure of an automobile plant in his riding. She added that residents of Bowmanville–Oshawa North are bearing the brunt of what she described as unjustifiable tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
While the government has not opposed the visit outright, officials have signalled that formal trade negotiations remain the responsibility of designated ministers and critics, underscoring the sensitivity surrounding Canada–U.S. trade ties.
