Oshawa MP Jamil Jivani, alongside fellow Conservative caucus members Tom Kmiec and David McKenzie, came to Calgary for the latest stop in his "Restore the North" tour.Jivani last came to Calgary in January for his first stop in the city on his nation-crossing Restore the North tour, a town hall-style event that is meant to serve as an idea-sharing platform between voters and politicians. On Sunday, at the C3 church just outside Calgary, Jivani, alongside the MPs for Calgary Shepard and Calgary Signal Hill, answered questions on a wide range of topics from toxic masculinity to Alberta independence.An admittedly small crowd of roughly 70 seemed to be worried mainly about federal government overreach and the perceived limited role of social conservative issues in the modern Conservative Party. Multiple people brought up the issue of late-term abortion and the fact that the Canadian government funds late-term abortions despite the fact that polling shows that a majority of Canadians don't support the practice..Jivani said that while the complaints are justified, the reopening of the abortion debate in Ottawa may make the issue worse than better due to the politicization that the abortion discussion has previously faced in Canada.Many also brought up the ongoing trade war between Canada and the United States, with some expressing concern about the potential it may have on the cost of living and general state of Canada's relationship with its southern neighbour.Mckenzie said that the trade war "doesn't make sense" and that the conflict has come about due to stubbornness on both sides of the border.The issue of Alberta independence was also brought up by multiple speakers, with one woman saying that although it would "break her heart" to see Canada break apart, she doesn't think there's any other way to get constitutional change in Canada.All three MPs stated that they do not support Alberta independence, but Jivani expressed his displeasure with what he called the federal government pitting provinces against each other and, in turn, increasing this demonization between regions of the country..Kmiec also noted the historic importance that Albertans have had in helping change the Canadian constitutional framework, noting the example of Peter Lougheed and the implementation of the notwithstanding clause.He also stated that he believes that Alberta can play a much bigger role inside the federation than outside it but added that he would like to see more western representation in Parliament and the Senate. Jivani also fielded a question regarding the issue of young male mental health and the issue that the demonization of young men can have on society. He called out the federal government for what he calls a lack of funding and support for down-and-out young men.He also added that any government serious about fixing Canada must take the issue of disenfranchised young men seriously. The stop in Calgary comes as Jivani has faced increasing blowback for his perceived interference in the Canada-US trade negotiations, actions that some online commentators have said may be the beginning of a challenge to the leadership of the Conservative Party.Jivani has been accused of breaking rank with the party, with some saying his brazen disregard for Poilievre's leadership may be a quiet challenge for the leader's seat as Poilievre and the Tories continue to struggle in the polls.
