:Jamil Jivani

Jivani was born in Toronto, Ontario. His father is Muslim and his mother, Pam, is Christian.https://x.com/jamiljivani/status/1544357399577911296?lang=en{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/jamiljivani/p/CsMsrrEpBCm/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fp%2FCC-RuBkjUDO%2Fcomments%2F%3F__coig_login%3D1 | title=Instagram }} His father is Kenyan, and was adopted and raised by a Muslim Indian family, hence the Indian surname. His mother is from the United Kingdom, and is of Scottish and Irish descent.{{Cite news |date=2020-07-17 |title=Ontario's opportunities advocate accused of anti-Blackness |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ontarios-new-advocate-for-community-opportunities-is-getting-mixed/ |access-date=2023-08-07 |archive-date=2023-08-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807175550/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ontarios-new-advocate-for-community-opportunities-is-getting-mixed/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2018-05-17 |title=The Consequences of Growing up without a Father {{!}} The Walrus |url=https://thewalrus.ca/the-consequences-of-growing-up-without-a-father/ |access-date=2023-08-21 |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-08-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821012916/https://thewalrus.ca/the-consequences-of-growing-up-without-a-father/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Vincent |first=Donovan |title=First Time Author Jamil Jivani Determined In Face Of Cancer Diagnosis - ByBlacks.com {{!}} #1 online magazine for Black Canadians |url=https://byblacks.com/news/item/1865-first-time-author-jamil-jivani-determined-in-face-of-cancer-diagnosis |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=byblacks.com |language=en-gb |quote="Born in Kenya, Ismat, who is Black, was adopted as a 1-year-old by an East Indian family in Nairobi."}} He grew up with his two sisters, raised by their mother in the Ontario city of Brampton. Jivani also has two stepbrothers through his father side.{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Donovan Vincent Feature |date=2018-04-06 |title=He wrote a book about the life choices that young men face. Then he got diagnosed with cancer |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/insight/he-wrote-a-book-about-the-life-choices-that-young-men-face-then-he-got/article_19b6264c-5051-5e22-8b57-41980deb09e2.html |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=Toronto Star |language=en |archive-date=2023-08-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815054348/https://www.thestar.com/news/insight/he-wrote-a-book-about-the-life-choices-that-young-men-face-then-he-got/article_19b6264c-5051-5e22-8b57-41980deb09e2.html |url-status=live }} After attending Fletcher’s Creek Senior Public School, then Mississauga's Gordon Graydon Memorial Secondary School,{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Nicholas Keung Immigration |date=2013-07-14 |title=Yale University law grad Jamil Jivani has a message for other struggling kids |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/yale-university-law-grad-jamil-jivani-has-a-message-for-other-struggling-kids/article_b7f8019c-4964-54cf-904a-805f4320577f.html |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=Toronto Star |language=en |archive-date=2023-08-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815054343/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/yale-university-law-grad-jamil-jivani-has-a-message-for-other-struggling-kids/article_b7f8019c-4964-54cf-904a-805f4320577f.html |url-status=live }} Jivani attended Humber College and York University.{{cite web |url=https://humber.ca/today/news/gas-program-opens-doors-humber-students |last=Laux|first=Sara|agency=Humber College |title=G.A.S. program opens doors for Humber students |access-date=2024-01-25 |date=2013-01-18 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921220618/https://humber.ca/today/news/gas-program-opens-doors-humber-students |archive-date=21 September 2022 |url-status=dead}} In 2013, he earned his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School.Keung, Nicholas. [https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/07/14/yale_university_law_grad_jamil_jivani_has_a_message_for_other_struggling_kids.html "Yale University law grad Jamil Jivani has a message for other struggling kids"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304235239/http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/07/14/yale_university_law_grad_jamil_jivani_has_a_message_for_other_struggling_kids.html |date=2016-03-04 }}, Toronto Star, Toronto, 14 July 2013. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.Share News. [http://sharenews.com/gta-students-excelling-academically-in-the-u-s/ "GTA students excelling academically in the U.S."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807033540/http://sharenews.com/gta-students-excelling-academically-in-the-u-s/|date=2013-08-07}}, Share News, Toronto, 19 June 2013. Retrieved on 10 June 2014. Before attending law school, Jivani worked as a dishwasher and line cook in local Toronto area restaurants.Getachew, Samuel. [http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/samuel-getachew/yale-law_b_1925902.html "A Journey From Dishwashing To Yale Law"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103074228/http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/samuel-getachew/yale-law_b_1925902.html |date=2015-01-03 }}, Huffington Post, 9 October 2012. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.

While a student at Yale, Jivani was Program Director of the Yale Chapter of the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy ProjectYale Law School. [http://www.law.yale.edu/studentlife/15235.htm "Yale Law School Hosts Area High School Students at Third Annual Marshall-Brennan Moot Court Competition"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130108003236/http://www.law.yale.edu/studentlife/15235.htm |date=2013-01-08 }}, New Haven, CT, 30 March 2012. Retrieved on 10 June 2014. and President of the Yale Black Law Students Association.Yale Law School. [http://www.law.yale.edu/studentlife/15065.htm "Justice Clarence Thomas ’74 Visits the Law School"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029180317/http://www.law.yale.edu/studentlife/15065.htm |date=2014-10-29 }}, New Haven, CT, 14 December 2011. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.Rodriguez-Florido, Liz. [http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2012/02/29/panel-outlines-changes-in-hip-hop/ "Panel outlines changes in hip-hop"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304203303/http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2012/02/29/panel-outlines-changes-in-hip-hop/ |date=2016-03-04 }}, Yale Daily News, New Haven, CT, 29 February 2012. Retrieved on 10 June 2014. He was also part of the Innovations in Policing Clinic, in which he authored a case study of police-community relations in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.Yale Law School. [http://www.law.yale.edu/faculty/innovationsinpolicing.htm "Innovations in Policing Clinic"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403004827/http://www.law.yale.edu/faculty/innovationsinpolicing.htm |date=2015-04-03 }}, New Haven, CT. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.

At Yale, he was the best friend and a classmate of former Republican United States Senator from Ohio and Vice President of the United States, JD Vance.{{cite news |last1=van Zuylen-Wood |first1=Simon |title=The radicalization of J.D. Vance |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/magazine/2022/01/04/jd-vance-hillbilly-elegy-radicalization/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=7 January 2022 |language=en |archive-date=4 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104144623/https://www.washingtonpost.com/magazine/2022/01/04/jd-vance-hillbilly-elegy-radicalization/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|title=32: J. D. Vance - American Dreams and Nightmares - The Portal|url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/2htnDXNunaw7smTAlS22kH|website=Spotify|date=30 April 2020|language=en|access-date=2020-05-04|archive-date=2022-12-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206022839/https://open.spotify.com/episode/2htnDXNunaw7smTAlS22kH|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Belouizdad |first=Skander |date=2020-11-26 |title=My friend the hillbilly: Jamil Jivani in the National Post |url=https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/friend-hillbilly/ |access-date=2023-08-04 |website=Macdonald-Laurier Institute |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-08-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804011305/https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/friend-hillbilly/ |url-status=live }} Jivani also interned at the office of Cory Booker, the then-mayor of Newark, and current Democratic Senior United States Senator from New Jersey.{{Cite web |last=Jivani |first=Jamil |date=December 14, 2020 |title=Jamil Jivani: Why I am not a liberal |url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/jamil-jivani-why-i-am-not-a-liberal |access-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-date=March 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309051031/https://nationalpost.com/opinion/jamil-jivani-why-i-am-not-a-liberal |url-status=live }} Jivani later revealed in 2020 that for a few years after law school, he was a card-carrying member of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Following his graduation from Yale, he practiced corporate law at Torys LLP.{{Cite web |last=van Bilsen |first=Jonathan |date=July 26, 2024 |title=Jamil Jivani: Taking Politics by Storm |url=https://www.photosntravel.com/thestorybehindtheperson/taking-politics-by-storm?srsltid=AfmBOop5U45uhexyDtLSCONl0w0fgpLlYo3frOHrPqhYxJZBXcc7mZ6N |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214074144/https://www.photosntravel.com/thestorybehindtheperson/taking-politics-by-storm?srsltid=AfmBOop5U45uhexyDtLSCONl0w0fgpLlYo3frOHrPqhYxJZBXcc7mZ6N |archive-date=December 14, 2024 |access-date=December 14, 2024 |website=Photos n Travel}} Jivani held research and teaching appointments at Osgoode Hall Law School.{{Cite web |last=York University |date=November 4, 2018 |title=Author, lawyer and youth leader Jamil Jivani (BA '10) to be honoured at the 2018 Bryden Alumni Awards |url=https://www.yorku.ca/yfile/2018/11/04/author-lawyer-and-youth-leader-jamil-jivani-ba-10-to-be-honoured-at-the-2018-bryden-alumni-awards/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214074051/https://www.yorku.ca/yfile/2018/11/04/author-lawyer-and-youth-leader-jamil-jivani-ba-10-to-be-honoured-at-the-2018-bryden-alumni-awards/ |archive-date=December 14, 2024 |access-date=December 14, 2024 |website=York University}}

In 2013, Jivani founded the Policing Literacy Initiative (PLI), a youth-driven public education and advocacy group focused on community safety issues.Policing Literacy Initiative. [http://www.plitoronto.org "PLI Home Page"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623144236/http://plitoronto.org/ |date=2017-06-23 }}. Retrieved on 10 June 2014. Jivani stated to CBC Metro Morning that the purpose of PLI is to spotlight progressive voices among police and community groups and work with them to find common solutions.CBC Metro Morning. [http://www.cbc.ca/metromorning/episodes/2014/05/22/policing-minorities/ "Policing Minorities"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140526040126/http://www.cbc.ca/metromorning/episodes/2014/05/22/policing-minorities/ |date=2014-05-26 }}, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, 22 May 2014. Retrieved on 10 June 2014. Jivani wrote an editorial for the National Post in February 2014 about his experience with Toronto Police and the Office of the Independent Police Review Director and the use of mediated conversations for citizen complaints.Jivani, Jamil. [http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2014/02/06/jamil-jivani-not-happy-with-the-police-try-talking-to-them/ "Not happy with the police? Try talking to them"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20140702112747/http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2014/02/06/jamil-jivani-not-happy-with-the-police-try-talking-to-them/ |date=2014-07-02 }}, National Post, 6 February 2014. Retrieved on 10 June 2014. In April 2014, Jivani co-produced with Dan Epstein a documentary about police-community relations titled "Crisis of Distrust: Police and Community in Toronto."Spurr, Ben. [http://www.nowtoronto.com/news/story.cfm?content=198060 "A matter of trust] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523104353/http://www.nowtoronto.com/news/story.cfm?content=198060 |date=2014-05-23 }}, NOW Magazine. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.Cole, Desmond. [http://torontoist.com/2014/05/torontonians-speak-out-about-police-carding/ "Torontonians Speak Out About Police Carding"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140526085722/http://torontoist.com/2014/05/torontonians-speak-out-about-police-carding/ |date=2014-05-26 }}, Torontoist, 23 May 2014. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.

Jivani was a 2013-14 Greater Toronto CivicAction Alliance DiverseCity Fellow.Eastwood, Joel. [https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/10/03/diversecity_fellows_focus_on_youth_unemployment.html "DiverseCity Fellows focus on youth unemployment"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620234548/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/10/03/diversecity_fellows_focus_on_youth_unemployment.html |date=2019-06-20 }}, Toronto Star, Toronto, 3 October 2013. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.Share News. [http://sharenews.com/jivani-among-young-leaders-set-to-make-a-difference/ "DiverseCity Fellows focus on youth unemployment"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327044858/http://sharenews.com/jivani-among-young-leaders-set-to-make-a-difference/|date=2014-03-27}}, Share News, Toronto, 15 November 2013. Retrieved on 10 June 2014. As a Fellow, he co-founded Teachers Beyond the Classroom, which seeks to "help thousands of unemployed teachers transfer their skills to non-school employment opportunities across the Greater Toronto Area."Criscione, Peter. [http://www.mississauga.com/news-story/4452254-emerging-leaders-make-their-pitch-to-improve-gta/ "Emerging leaders make their pitch to improve GTA"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410140722/http://www.mississauga.com/news-story/4452254-emerging-leaders-make-their-pitch-to-improve-gta/ |date=2014-04-10 }}, Mississauga News, Toronto, 7 April 2014. Retrieved on 10 June 2014. He served on the Board of Directors of the Children's Aid Society of Toronto until 2017.{{Cite web |last=Jivani |first=Jamil |date=April 17, 2017 |title=Helping children in need requires broad solutions |url=https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/helping-children-in-need-requires-broad-solutions/article_7a86f102-2912-5791-9a6d-249963dcc67d.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214074431/https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/helping-children-in-need-requires-broad-solutions/article_7a86f102-2912-5791-9a6d-249963dcc67d.html |archive-date=December 14, 2024 |access-date=December 14, 2024 |website=Toronto Star}} On February 13, 2014, Jivani was named Yale Alumni Magazine's Newsmaker of the Week.Bass, Carole. [https://www.yalealumnimagazine.com/blog_posts/1708 "Jamil Jivani ’13JD: Yale blue, police blue"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054955/https://yalealumnimagazine.com/blog_posts/1708 |date=2016-03-04 }}, Yale Alumni Magazine, 13 February 2014. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.

{{external media| float = right| video1 = [https://www.c-span.org/video/?461940-1/after-words-jamil-jivani After Words interview with Jivani on Why Young Men, July 6, 2019], C-SPAN}}

Between 2016 until it closed in 2018, Jivani helped run the charity organization Our Ohio Renewal, founded by JD Vance, a friend from Yale; Jivani later stated the group's work was derailed because of his cancer diagnosis.{{cite web |last1=Tasker |first1=John · |title=This Conservative MP is 'best friends' with Trump running mate J.D. Vance |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/jd-vance-jamil-jivani-best-friends-trump-vp-1.7265268 |publisher=CBC |access-date=17 July 2024}}

In 2020, he was appointed senior fellow for Diversity and Empowerment at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, a conservative, libertarian think tank affiliated with the US Atlas Network.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-18 |title=How a conservative US network undermined Indigenous energy rights in Canada |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jul/18/conservative-us-network-undermined-indigenous-energy-rights-in-canada |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=2022-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221231174334/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jul/18/conservative-us-network-undermined-indigenous-energy-rights-in-canada |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Byers-Lane |first=Brett |date=2020-09-11 |title=MLI welcomes newest Senior Fellow, Jamil Jivani |url=https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/macdonald-laurier-institute-welcomes-newest-senior-fellow-jamil-jivani/ |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=Macdonald-Laurier Institute |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-08-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807175542/https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/macdonald-laurier-institute-welcomes-newest-senior-fellow-jamil-jivani/ |url-status=live }} His association with the Institute ended in 2023.{{Cite web |last=Belouizdad |first=Skander |date=2023-01-10 |title=New challenges for Jamil Jivani |url=https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/new-challenges-for-jamil-jivani/ |access-date=2023-08-04 |website=Macdonald-Laurier Institute |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-08-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804011305/https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/new-challenges-for-jamil-jivani/ |url-status=live }} He later became president of the Canada Strong and Free Network, but stepped down to announce his candidacy for the Conservative nomination in Durham.{{Cite news |date=2023-04-20 |title=Politics Briefing: Ottawa to provide Volkswagen with up to $13-billion in annual subsidies for EV battery plant |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-politics-briefing-ottawa-to-provide-volkswagen-with-up-to-13-billion/ |access-date=2023-08-07 |archive-date=2023-08-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807175549/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-politics-briefing-ottawa-to-provide-volkswagen-with-up-to-13-billion/ |url-status=live }}

{{Conservatism in Canada|Commentators}}

He has written about youth and equality issues for Huffington Post.Huffington Post. [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jamil-jivani "Entries by Jamil Jivani"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801011845/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jamil-jivani/ |date=2013-08-01 }}, Huffington Post. Retrieved on 10 June 2014. and has articles published frequently in Postmedia chains.

On September 8, 2020, Bell Media announced that Jamil Jivani would host a new weekday nightly radio talk show Tonight with Jamil Jivani, from 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM. The show would air on CFRB and across the iHeart Radio Network.{{Cite web | url=https://www.bellmedia.ca/the-lede/press/newstalk-1010-announces-prominent-canadian-jamil-jivani-as-host-of-new-evening-show-beginning-tonight/ | title=NEWSTALK 1010 Announces Prominent Canadian Jamil Jivani as Host of New Evening Show, Beginning Tonight | access-date=2021-10-07 | archive-date=2021-10-07 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007215814/https://www.bellmedia.ca/the-lede/press/newstalk-1010-announces-prominent-canadian-jamil-jivani-as-host-of-new-evening-show-beginning-tonight/ | url-status=live }} In February 2021, Bell Media went under a corporate restructuring within its radio division. It was announced Jamil Jivani would move to the 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM time slot and his show would be rebranded as The Jamil Jivani Show.{{Cite web | url=https://cartt.ca/bell-media-cuts-hit-toronto-stations-and-jobs-nationwide/ | title=Bell Media cuts hit Toronto stations and jobs nationwide (Updated) | date=4 February 2021 | access-date=7 October 2021 | archive-date=7 March 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307054007/https://cartt.ca/bell-media-cuts-hit-toronto-stations-and-jobs-nationwide/ | url-status=live }}

Jivani was later fired from Bell Media, which he claimed was due to him not conforming to Black stereotypes.{{Cite web | url= https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/jamil-jivani-bell-media-black-stereotype | title= Jamil Jivani sues Bell Media, alleging he was fired for not fitting 'Black stereotype' | date= 2 September 2022 | access-date= 2 September 2022 | archive-date= 9 March 2024 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240309051107/https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/jamil-jivani-bell-media-black-stereotype | url-status= live }} In August 2022, Jamil Jivani sued Bell Media for wrongful dismissal and breach of contract. Bell filed a statement of defence, claiming that Jivani was let go because he showed disdain for concerns raised by Bell management over issues such as avoiding pushing back against COVID-19 misinformation and misgendering Demi Lovato.{{Cite web |last=Humphreys |first=Adrian |date=October 27, 2022 |title=Bell's defence for firing only Black radio host says he showed disdain for diversity initiatives |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/bells-firing-only-black-radio-host/wcm/6db6f0f4-d679-4601-a12f-b07d96c9f8fa |website=Edmonton Journal |access-date=August 7, 2023 |archive-date=October 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027144155/https://edmontonjournal.com/news/bells-firing-only-black-radio-host/wcm/6db6f0f4-d679-4601-a12f-b07d96c9f8fa |url-status=live }}

On December 11, 2019, the Government of Ontario appointed Jivani as the province's first Advocate for Community Opportunities. In this role, and as a Special Advisor to the Premier, Jivani opened lines of communication between communities and the government to empower community members and enabled them to increase their participation in government decision-making.{{Cite web |title=Giving Ontario Communities a Greater Voice in Government Decision Making |url=https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2019/12/giving-ontario-communities-a-greater-voice-in-government-decision-making.html |access-date=2019-12-12 |website=news.ontario.ca |language=en |archive-date=2019-12-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211220054/https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2019/12/giving-ontario-communities-a-greater-voice-in-government-decision-making.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Chief |first=Robert Benzie Queen's Park Bureau |date=2020-06-04 |title=Doug Ford launches anti-racism panel to help vulnerable youth |url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/doug-ford-launches-anti-racism-panel-to-help-vulnerable-youth/article_20d9885a-75cd-58d2-8ba7-7f4dd5bdd5cd.html |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=Toronto Star |language=en |archive-date=2023-08-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815054347/https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/doug-ford-launches-anti-racism-panel-to-help-vulnerable-youth/article_20d9885a-75cd-58d2-8ba7-7f4dd5bdd5cd.html |url-status=live }} Critics, such as his former mentor Neil Price, felt that Jivani used his role to criticize the communities that he was supposed to uplift. He was reappointed on April 1, but resigned on June 9 after criticizing Education Minister Stephen Lecce on social media over the closure of schools and vaccine passports during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario.{{Cite web |title=Ford government appointee resigns after calling education minister 'incompetent' {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9087250/jamil-jivani-resigns-ford-government/ |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=Global News |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-08-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807234235/https://globalnews.ca/news/9087250/jamil-jivani-resigns-ford-government/ |url-status=live }}

Jivani moderated the first unofficial debate during the 2022 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election where he took aim at Patrick Brown, who skipped the debate by arguing that he was manipulating diaspora politics to boost his campaign. An official working for Brown said that the party should welcome new Canadians to the party.{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Stephanie |date=2022-05-05 |title=Conservative leadership candidates spar over COVID mandates, trucker convoy, Huawei |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/mobile/politics/conservative-leadership-candidates-spar-over-covid-mandates-trucker-convoy-huawei-1.5889496 |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=CTVNews |language=en |archive-date=2023-08-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816033239/https://www.ctvnews.ca/mobile/politics/conservative-leadership-candidates-spar-over-covid-mandates-trucker-convoy-huawei-1.5889496 |url-status=live }}

{{See also|2024 Durham federal by-election}}

On April 20, 2023, Jivani announced that he would run for the Conservative nomination in Durham riding, following the resignation of Erin O'Toole.{{cite web |title=Conservative commentator Jamil Jivani to run to replace Erin O'Toole |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/jamil-jivani-conservative-bid-durham-1.6815721 |access-date=22 June 2023 |website=CBC News |publisher=www.cbc.ca |archive-date=25 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425063043/https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/jamil-jivani-conservative-bid-durham-1.6815721 |url-status=live }} On August 20, 2023, he won the nomination race, defeating Theresa Corless, a former Durham Catholic School Board chair.

He was elected to the Canadian House of Commons as a Conservative for the Ontario riding of Durham in a by-election held on March 4, 2024.{{Cite web |url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2024/03/04/jamil-jivani-durham-byelection-results-conservatives-ontario/ |title=Conservatives candidate Jamil Jivani clinches seat in Durham |date=5 March 2024 |access-date=2024-03-05 |archive-date=2024-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305054144/https://toronto.citynews.ca/2024/03/04/jamil-jivani-durham-byelection-results-conservatives-ontario/ |url-status=live }} Jivani's victory speech criticized "the liberal elites who run the Ontario Ministry of Education in this province". When asked by reporters, Education Minister Stephen Lecce dismissed Jivani's comments as his concern.{{Cite web |last=Rushowy |first=Robert Benzie, Stephanie Levitz, Kristin |date=2024-03-05 |title=Tory MP Jamil Jivani slams 'liberal elites' at Queen's Park, ruffling feathers in Ford government |url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/tory-mp-jamil-jivani-slams-liberal-elites-at-queens-park-ruffling-feathers-in-ford-government/article_582590ca-db0b-11ee-b2ed-7b5ab44cf901.html |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=Toronto Star |language=en |archive-date=2024-03-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240307171054/https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/tory-mp-jamil-jivani-slams-liberal-elites-at-queens-park-ruffling-feathers-in-ford-government/article_582590ca-db0b-11ee-b2ed-7b5ab44cf901.html |url-status=live }} While Progressive Conservative Premier Doug Ford responded to Jivani's comments by stating that while he wished the best for Jivani, Ford believed that he helped launch Jivani's career.{{Cite web |last=Ferguson |first=Robert Benzie, Rob |date=2024-03-08 |title=Doug Ford fires back at critical Tory MP Jamil Jivani: 'He should come in, I'll give him a couple of lessons' |url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/doug-ford-fires-back-at-critical-tory-mp-jamil-jivani-he-should-come-in-ill/article_f75f6ed8-dd66-11ee-9369-9fded328ba0a.html |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=Toronto Star |language=en |archive-date=2024-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308192208/https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/doug-ford-fires-back-at-critical-tory-mp-jamil-jivani-he-should-come-in-ill/article_f75f6ed8-dd66-11ee-9369-9fded328ba0a.html |url-status=live }} Upon re-election on April 28, 2025 Jivani revisited his criticism of Ford during a post victory interview with the CBC, in which he dismissed Ford's political acumen and called him an "opportunist", stating that Ford "has taken the provincial conservatives and turned it into something hollow."{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/takeaways-election-results-1.7521355 |publisher=CBC |title=5 key takeaways from Monday's historic vote |author=Darren Major |date=April 29, 2025}}

Jivani has been characterized as a black conservative{{Cite web |last=Boucher |first=Robyn |date=2021-03-01 |title=What Does it Mean to be a Black Conservative? Jamil Jivani on TVO's The Agenda |url=https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/black-conservative/ |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=Macdonald-Laurier Institute |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-08-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815054345/https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/black-conservative/ |url-status=live }} and a leading proponent of national conservatism in Canada.{{Cite web |last=Speer |first=Sean |date=2023-07-29 |title=The conservative consensus is over. The consequences for the Canadian Right will be profound |url=https://thehub.ca/2023-07-29/sean-speer-the-conservative-consensus-is-over-the-consequences-for-the-canadian-right-will-be-profound/ |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=The Hub |language=en-CA |archive-date=2023-08-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813225937/https://thehub.ca/2023-07-29/sean-speer-the-conservative-consensus-is-over-the-consequences-for-the-canadian-right-will-be-profound/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Jivani |first=Jamil |date=August 12, 2022 |title=Jamil Jivani: Conservatism is the new counterculture, Liberals are 'the man' |url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/jamil-jivani-conservatism-is-the-new-counterculture-liberals-are-the-man |access-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-date=March 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309051037/https://nationalpost.com/opinion/jamil-jivani-conservatism-is-the-new-counterculture-liberals-are-the-man |url-status=live }} He has advocated for national conservative ideas about nationalism, the role of government, and race and Canada returning to the ideals of the Reform Party.{{Cite web |last=Jivani |first=Jamil |date=March 3, 2023 |title=Jamil Jivani: We need to prepare for a post-Trudeau Canada |url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/we-need-to-prepare-for-a-post-trudeau-canada |access-date=August 15, 2023 |archive-date=March 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309051110/https://nationalpost.com/opinion/we-need-to-prepare-for-a-post-trudeau-canada |url-status=live }} Jivani has stated that his views were shaped by his father who abandoned his family when he was in elementary school by arguing that he was trying to find male role models.

Jivani views U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as a trailblazer for diversity.{{Cite web |last=Jivani |first=Jamil |date=November 1, 2022 |title=Jamil Jivani: Clarence Thomas asks a question too many Canadians are afraid to |url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/jamil-jivani-clarence-thomas-asks-a-question-too-many-canadians-are-afraid-to |access-date=August 15, 2023 |archive-date=March 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309051127/https://nationalpost.com/opinion/jamil-jivani-clarence-thomas-asks-a-question-too-many-canadians-are-afraid-to |url-status=live }} Jivani has praised American rapper Kanye West and

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith for standing up to what he sees as "cancel culture" after West was criticized for wearing a white lives matter shirt and Smith over her views about COVID-19.{{Cite web |last=Jivani |first=Jamil |date=October 7, 2022 |title=JIVANI: Kanye West and Danielle Smith defeat cancel culture |url=https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/jivani-kanye-west-and-danielle-smith-defeat-cancel-culture |access-date=August 15, 2023 |archive-date=October 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007162909/https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/jivani-kanye-west-and-danielle-smith-defeat-cancel-culture |url-status=live }}

In July 2020, Jivani supported the Government of Ontario decision to eliminate academic streaming in Grade 9 and most suspensions that impacted young students in the province. According to The Globe and Mail, he views Black Lives Matter movement as "anti-family fringe race activists" that hate the nuclear family and capitalism and has viewed the term “systemic racism" with skepticism. Jivani has suggested that terms such as systemic criticism as well as "white privilege" has advanced critical race theory which he believes is an issue in Canada.{{Cite web |last=Jivani |first=Jamil |title=Jamil Jivani: Critical race theory is a real problem in Canada |url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/jamil-jivani-critical-race-theory-is-a-real-problem-in-canada |access-date=2023-08-15 |archive-date=2024-03-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309051036/https://nationalpost.com/opinion/jamil-jivani-critical-race-theory-is-a-real-problem-in-canada |url-status=live }}

In March 2014, Jivani advocated for policy changes to the Toronto Police Services Board for police-community contacts and "carding." He argues that people's identity should not be the reason why they could be stopped by police.The Canadian Press. [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/toronto-police-shouldnt-stop-carding-lawyer-says/article17487284/ "Toronto police shouldn’t stop carding, lawyer says"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304225033/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/toronto-police-shouldnt-stop-carding-lawyer-says/article17487284/ |date=2016-03-04 }}, The Globe and Mail, 13 March 2014. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.Cole, Desmond. [http://torontoist.com/2014/03/one-step-closer-to-reform-of-police-carding/ "One Step Closer to Reform of Police Carding"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319063548/http://torontoist.com/2014/03/one-step-closer-to-reform-of-police-carding/ |date=2014-03-19 }}, Torontoist, 14 March 2014. Retrieved on 10 June 2014. He has admitted to facing similar incidents. He is a critic of the defund the police movement arguing that they do not represent the "Black Community".{{cite web |last1=Howells |first1=Laura |title=Ford-appointed adviser defends tweet on gun violence saying calls to defund police 'out of touch' |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/jamil-jivani-gun-violence-tweet-1.5647588 |access-date=7 January 2022 |website=CBC |archive-date=15 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215233504/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/jamil-jivani-gun-violence-tweet-1.5647588 |url-status=live }} However, he has advocated for criminal justice reform by admitting that police officers must treat people with respect, calling for mandating body cameras for police,{{Cite web |last=Jivani |first=Jamil |date=February 1, 2023 |title=Jamil Jivani: Tyre Nichols killing shows why all police must wear body cameras |url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/tyre-nichols-killing-shows-why-all-police-must-wear-body-cameras |access-date=August 21, 2023 |archive-date=March 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309051109/https://nationalpost.com/opinion/tyre-nichols-killing-shows-why-all-police-must-wear-body-cameras |url-status=live }} and has praised then Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders for attempting to reduce Toronto Police budget.{{Cite web |last=Jivani |first=Jamil |date=October 28, 2020 |title=Jamil Jivani: Addressing the crisis of distrust in police |url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/jamil-jivani-addressing-the-crisis-of-distrust-in-police |access-date=August 15, 2023 |archive-date=March 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309051607/https://nationalpost.com/opinion/jamil-jivani-addressing-the-crisis-of-distrust-in-police |url-status=live }}

In his book, Why Young Men: Rage Race and the Crisis of Identity he suggested that poverty and lack of "validation in mainstream society" were factors behind the cause of crime.{{Cite web |last=Identity |first=Jamil Jivani Excerpted from Why Young Men: Rage Race and the Crisis of |date=2018-04-06 |title=My friend ended up in jail, I ended up at Yale: Toronto lawyer and activist Jamil Jivani explores the destructive ideas that can influence young men |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/insight/my-friend-ended-up-in-jail-i-ended-up-at-yale-toronto-lawyer-and-activist/article_1a4ecb85-d052-532c-bf67-687c61405689.html |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=Toronto Star |language=en |archive-date=2023-08-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815054347/https://www.thestar.com/news/insight/my-friend-ended-up-in-jail-i-ended-up-at-yale-toronto-lawyer-and-activist/article_1a4ecb85-d052-532c-bf67-687c61405689.html |url-status=live }} He also added in a later interview that lack of opportunity and inadequate social services as causes behind crime. A few years later, he blamed social media. He also suggested that the hip-hop industry, which he believes is galvanizing "gangster culture" should be investigated for "the role in causing crime." Previously in 2012, when writing for the Huffington Post, Jivani criticized then-Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and then immigration minister Jason Kenney for their remarks on the cause behind Toronto shootings as demeaning. When Ford suggested "immigration law" and Kenney suggested "foreign gangsters" as caused he argued that it was similar to tactics used by the Mitt Romney and criticized then Prime Minister Stephen Harper for failing to condemn them both.{{Cite web |date=2013-07-19 |title=Jamil Jivani: Ford and Kenney Stoop to GOP-Style Racial Slurs |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/jamil-jivani/ford-thugs_b_1717546.html |access-date=2023-08-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719185637/http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/jamil-jivani/ford-thugs_b_1717546.html |archive-date=2013-07-19 }}

Jivani praised federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, then-Minnesota Democratic congressman Keith Ellison, University of Toronto professor of psychology, Jordan Peterson, as positive inspirations for young males to counter extremism.{{Cite news |date=2018-04-06 |title=Finding a way: Jagmeet Singh and the importance of positive moral alternatives |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-jagmeet-singh-and-the-importance-of-positive-moral-alternatives/ |access-date=2023-08-16 |archive-date=2023-08-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816031535/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-jagmeet-singh-and-the-importance-of-positive-moral-alternatives/ |url-status=live }}

Jivani previously described that he held liberal views for a few years after law school but grew out of those views as he grew older and considers conservatism as a form of counterculture. Even though he praised previous leader Erin O'Toole's character, he was critical of O'Toole not trying to appeal to the Conservative grassroots.{{Cite web |last=Jivani |first=Jamil |title=Jamil Jivani: Erin O'Toole privileged liberal elites over his own conservative base |url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/jamil-jivani-erin-otoole-privileged-liberal-elites-over-his-own-conservative-base |access-date=March 3, 2024 |website=National Post |archive-date=March 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309051654/https://nationalpost.com/opinion/jamil-jivani-erin-otoole-privileged-liberal-elites-over-his-own-conservative-base |url-status=live }}

Jivani classified Quebec's Bill 96, which would provide most government and business services to be offered exclusively in French, as an example of national conservatism being implemented in Canada.{{Cite web |last=Jivani |first=Jamil |date=June 2, 2022 |title=Jamil Jivani: Quebec's Bill 96 hardly at odds with conservative movement |url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/jamil-jivani-quebecs-bill-96-hardly-at-odds-with-conservative-movement |access-date=August 21, 2023 |archive-date=March 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309051706/https://nationalpost.com/opinion/jamil-jivani-quebecs-bill-96-hardly-at-odds-with-conservative-movement |url-status=live }}

Jivani contributed to the 2012 anthology, Jamaica in the Canadian Experience: A Multiculturalizing Presence,Davis, Andre & James, Carl. [https://books.google.com/books?id=xE9vkQEACAAJ "Jamaica in the Canadian Experience: A Multiculturalizing Presence"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309051529/https://books.google.com/books?id=xE9vkQEACAAJ|date=2024-03-09}}, Fernwood Publishing Company, 1 January 2012. Retrieved on 10 June 2014. In 2018, he published Why Young Men: Rage, Race and the Crisis of Identity.{{Cite web |last=CBC Books |date=Jan 17, 2018 |title=Why Young Men |url=https://www.cbc.ca/books/why-young-men-1.4491548 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214073740/https://www.cbc.ca/books/why-young-men-1.4491548 |archive-date=December 14, 2024 |access-date=December 14, 2024 |website=CBC}} The book was published by HarperCollins and listed for the Toronto Book Awards in 2018.{{Cite web |last=CBC Books |date=July 12, 2018 |title=Michael Redhill, David Chariandy and Lee Maracle among authors longlisted for $10K Toronto Book Award |url=https://www.cbc.ca/books/michael-redhill-david-chariandy-and-lee-maracle-among-authors-longlisted-for-10k-toronto-book-award-1.4743817 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214074602/https://www.cbc.ca/books/michael-redhill-david-chariandy-and-lee-maracle-among-authors-longlisted-for-10k-toronto-book-award-1.4743817 |archive-date=December 14, 2024 |access-date=December 14, 2024 |website=CBC}}

Jivani resides in Oshawa.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zltz6TzJj-4 |title=TRUTH TO POWER: Jamil Jivani has a special message for CTV news and Bell Media |date=2023-04-12 |last=Toronto Sun |access-date=2024-06-02 |via=YouTube}}

Jivani's mother is of European descent, and his father, Ismat was born in Kenya to Indian parents. Jivani has 2 siblings and is married. His father runs a restaurant in Mexico.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}} Jivani is a Protestant.{{Cite web |last=Jivani |first=Jamil |date=2022-04-26 |title=What Christian Faith Means to Me |url=https://jamiljivani.substack.com/p/christian-faith-me |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=Jamil Jivani}}

{{2025 Canadian federal election/Bowmanville—Oshawa North}}

{{2024 Canadian federal by-elections/Durham}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.jamiljivani.ca}}
• [https://www.votejamil.ca Election website]

{{Current Members of the Canadian House of Commons}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Jivani, Jamil}}

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