Following his victory in Ontario’s Durham riding, federal Tory candidate Jamil Jivani utilized his speech to criticize not only the rival Liberals but also the ruling Progressive Conservatives in Ontario. His focus was particularly on the “anti-racism” teachings in Ontario schools.
Race and gender, once considered sensitive issues by federal and provincial conservatives, have gained more attention in recent months, with senior Conservative leaders speaking out boldly on these societal matters.
For instance, Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre made a firm statement regarding gender identity by expressing his opposition to minors receiving puberty blockers. This stance was supported by the party grassroots at their convention last year through various resolutions.
Similarly, the United Conservative Party in Alberta advocated for stricter positions on the same issues during their convention. Alberta’s Premier implemented stringent policies against minors receiving medical interventions and gender identity teachings in schools.
Conservative leaders have not only been influenced by their party grassroots but also by recent public opinion polls showing support for a stronger stance on these societal issues.
Recent recruits to the federal Conservative Party, including Jamil Jivani, have been vocal on various contentious issues. Others, like filmmaker Aaron Gunn, former Ontario MPP Roman Baber, and former acting medical officer Dr. Matt Strauss, have also expressed strong opinions on topics such as “systemic racism” and COVID-19 mandates.
Jamil Jivani, then-Ontario’s Advocate for Community Opportunities, speaks as Ontario Premier Doug Ford, and Then-Minister of Children, Community, and Social Services Todd Smith listen in Toronto on June 4, 2020. (The Canadian Press/Rick Madonik-Pool)
Anti-Racism Education
In his post-victory speech on March 4, Jamil Jivani criticized the “liberal elites” for neglecting the working class, including both federal rival Liberals and the Ontario Ministry of Education under the Progressive Conservatives. He elaborated on his criticism in a subsequent interview on March 7.
Mr. Jivani condemned the Ontario PCs for focusing on “virtue signalling” and “race politics” in their education policies, similarities he noticed with a Liberal government’s strategies.
Premier Doug Ford responded to Mr. Jivani’s comments during a press conference, highlighting the progress made in their interactions since appointing Mr. Jivani as the province’s Advocate for Community Opportunities in 2019.
Mr. Ford emphasized his conservative beliefs and principles, refuting comparisons of his government to the Liberals and stressing his stance on issues like the carbon tax and law enforcement.
Under the Ford government, efforts to promote anti-racism and equity have been evident. For instance, Ontario school boards have significantly increased expenditure on equity-related staff, with some boards allocating over $2 million each annually to this cause.
The Ford administration supported a bill introduced by the NDP to integrate anti-racism into all aspects of the provincial curriculum; however, the bill was shelved when an election was called in May 2022.
Despite this, Education Minister Stephen Lecce recently criticized the distribution of a controversial guidance document in schools, emphasizing the need to avoid promoting divisive ideologies in educational settings.
Mr. Jivani, known for his strong stance against critical race theory, views this ideology as a divisive force that exacerbates societal divisions based on skin color rather than fostering unity.
Both Mr. Lecce and Mr. Ford have expressed their disapproval of how gender identity issues are handled in schools, with a commitment to ensuring parental involvement and transparency in such matters.
Altogether, the conservative discourse, led by individuals like Jamil Jivani and Pierre Poilievre, reflects a shifting landscape where hot-button issues such as race, gender, and immigration are becoming increasingly prominent in political discussions.
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