Ford fires back at critical Tory MP
Premier says Jivani ‘wouldn’t even be where he is if I didn’t give him’ past role at Queen’s Park
Premier Doug Ford is firing back at Pierre Poilievre’s federal Conservatives, warning them to stay in their lane.
As first disclosed by the Star, Ford was displeased by a surprise attack on Education Minister Stephen Lecce’s department by Jamil Jivani, the Tory winner of this week’s federal byelection in Durham.
Jivani, who worked as the premier’s community opportunities advocate from 2019 until 2022, blasted “the liberal elites who run the Ontario Ministry of Education in this province” in a rambling victory speech Monday night.
On Friday, the Progressive Conservative premier expressed his displeasure publicly for the first time.
“I gave that young man an opportunity. He showed up — no one even knew who he was — he came in my office, I gave him an incredible opportunity,” Ford told reporters in Milton.
“To be very frank — and go to root cause — he wouldn’t even be where he is if I didn’t give him that opportunity,” the premier said.
“So I just want to wish Jamil all the best. He should focus on maybe the carbon tax. Maybe he should come in, I’ll give him a couple of lessons on how to speak to … his constituents.”
“But he should really focus on putting money back into their pockets and … focus on the carbon tax. We’re doing great for the people of Ontario. We’re going to do great for his riding that he’s going to represent.”
While Poilievre is holding an “Axe
The Tax” rally in Ford’s Etobicoke North riding on Sunday, the premier will not be attending.
The 1 p.m. event at the Toronto Congress Centre is five kilometres from the Ford family home — a nine-minute drive.
Poilievre’s office did not wish to be drawn into the fray on Friday.
“We don’t have a comment,” said Sebastian Skamski, the federal leader’s director of media relations.
But one federal Tory, speaking confidentially in order to discuss internal deliberations, told the Star it was “a rather absurd claim to make” that Ford somehow launched Jivani’s political career.
The source noted the incoming Durham MP graduated from the prestigious Yale Law School and published a book, “Why Young Men: The Dangerous Allure of Violent Movements and What We Can Do About It,” before working at Queen’s Park.
On Friday, Ford, whose PC government has been working closely with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals since the COVID-19 pandemic began four years ago, bristled at suggestions from some federal Tories that he is not a real conservative.
“I have no tension between the federal Conservatives. We’re called the Progressive Conservative party, the PC Party of Ontario, we’re working for the people of Ontario,” the premier said.
“I’ll work with anyone. I’ll work with Liberals, NDP, the Conservatives, whoever gets in power,” said Ford.
“And I think I’ve shown that no matter if I’m dealing with (Toronto Mayor) Olivia Chow, (who) is supported by the NDP, we have a great relationship. And I’ll have a great relationship with the Conservative party,” he said. “So I have no problem working with absolutely anyone as long as it’s in the best interest of Ontario. When it’s not in the best interest of Ontario, you’re going to hear me loud and clear.”
Strained relations between Ford and Poilievre have been smouldering for months.
Seven weeks ago, the federal party blindsided the provincial Tories by poaching cabinet minister Parm Gill to run for it in Milton.
Ford had no notice that his thenred tape reduction minister, who has yet to be replaced, would be immediately jumping ship despite the fact no federal election is imminent.
The attack on Lecce’s ministry also rankled because the education minister, who was a top staffer in former prime minister Stephen Harper’s office, is well-regarded among both provincial and federal Tories.
It is unclear if any elected provincial Tories or aides will attend Sunday’s federal rally.
Federal insiders said that, as of Friday afternoon, no MPPs or cabinet ministers had confirmed their attendance.
Ford has repeatedly instructed his caucus and staff not to work on federal byelections because he does not want to undermine anything he is doing with Trudeau.
Last June, he expressly forbade provincial Tories from helping Conservative candidate Arpan Khanna win the federal byelection in Oxford.
As payback, the federal party refused to help provincial PC standard-bearer Sean Webster, who lost to Liberal Karen McCrimmon, in Kanata-Carleton the following month.