Donald Trump just sent Canada a Valentine via Conservative MP Jamil Jivani

Yesterday in Canadian politics, most of the chatter was around a meeting between Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre. The Shane and Ilya of federal leadership were putting their heated rivalry aside for the good of the country. But, elsewhere, another player was stirring the pot.

Jamil Jivani, the Conservative MP for Bowmanville–Oshawa North, went to law school with J. D. Vance and won’t let anyone forget it. In a video posted to social media, Jivani announced that he was headed to Washington, DC, to “help Prime Minister Mark Carney be successful in negotiating a trade deal with the United States.”

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That doesn’t sound so nefarious, but the subtext was clear: While your government is playing footsie with China and engaging in “elbows up” nonsense, I’m going to roll up my shirtsleeves and get to work. He didn’t mention Vance by name, but he certainly laid the breadcrumbs for anyone who’s been following along: “As a guy who went to law school in the United States and has a strong network there, I think I have something to offer.”

As many critics have since pointed out, Jivani has no clear business heading south of the border. He doesn’t represent the government of Canada’s trade interests, nor does he hold any kind of critic role within the Conservative party. He may know Vance’s favourite Bible verses (he read one at the VP’s 2014 wedding), but he has zero authority to negotiate on behalf of this country.

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When asked about Jivani’s trip by the media, Carney responded, “I think it might have something to do with all of you” (clearly the PM has seen Mean Girls). Journalist Rachel Gilmore noted that Jivani’s video was entirely absent of official Conservative branding. Instead, he spoke in front of a sign that looks like something your Grade 5 class would sign if you broke your leg.

Poilievre has said nothing to suggest that the trip is in any way sanctioned. That makes sense—when someone is clearly coming for your job, you generally don’t lend your support. Jivani may be courting the spotlight, but he clearly has his eye on a bigger prize.

Yesterday evening, Jivani provided an update: “Productive meetings today with the White House and State Department. The President asked me to pass along a message: ‘Tell the Canadians I love them.’ I’ll have much more to say later. More meetings with Senators, GM, and others this week.”