Conservative Member of Parliament Jamil Jivani found himself in an amusing situation when his Secret Santa, Michael Ma, unexpectedly switched sides to the Liberals, leaving Jivani without a gift during the Conservative caucus gift exchange. Despite this, Jivani maintained his holiday cheer and even made light of the situation during an interview with CBC News.
Reflecting on the incident, Jivani humorously mentioned that while he had prepared a gift for his colleague Mel Arnold, he did not receive one himself, speculating that someone may have forgotten. Upon learning that Ma was his Secret Santa, Jivani jokingly suggested that Ma might have chosen to give his gift to a Liberal instead.
Expressing his frustration over Ma’s decision to leave the Conservatives for the Liberals, Jivani emphasized his belief that cooperation between the two parties should not necessitate members switching allegiances. He highlighted instances of collaboration between Conservatives and Liberals, such as their joint support for the government’s major projects bill and his own offer to assist the Liberals with U.S. relations, as evidence of common ground.
Ma’s defection marked the second instance of a Conservative MP joining the Liberals this fall, following Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont’s move in November. Jivani emphasized the unity within the Conservative party and reiterated his commitment to working with Liberals without resorting to divisive actions like floor-crossings.
In response to Ma’s decision, Jivani emphasized the importance of unity and decisive action for Canada’s future. He recalled supporting Ma during his election campaign in the fiercely contested riding of Markham-Unionville, underscoring the efforts made by Conservatives to secure his victory.
While acknowledging the attempts to undermine Conservative morale through floor-crossings, Jivani highlighted the rallying effect within the party, reinforcing their shared conservative values and commitment to improving the quality of life for Canadians. Amidst the political shifts, Jivani expressed solidarity with his colleagues and reaffirmed their dedication to their conservative principles.
Additionally, Conservative MP Kurt Holman humorously mentioned on social media that he was Ma’s Secret Santa, humorously remarking that he wanted his gift back, akin to the constituents of Markham-Unionville wanting their votes back in light of Ma’s defection.