The Conservative nominee for Ontario’s Durham region, Jamil Jivani, has fired back at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent attack, which included a suspicious use of the term ‘Toofer’. 

While addressing his party members on Thursday, Trudeau called Jivani a ‘Toofer’, implying that he was both an ideologue and an insider. 

However, critics quickly dissected the term, drawing parallels to its use in the popular sitcom ’30 Rock’, where it referred to a character who was both a Harvard graduate and African American. 

Jivani, a Yale graduate and Black man, released a video on social media responding to Trudeau’s attack.

“I’m not exactly sure what [Toofer] means in reference to a human being,” he said.

In his message, Jivani went on to introduce himself to those who might not know him, ahead of an upcoming byelection to replace the seat previously occupied by former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole. Jivani’s main competition in the byelection will be against Liberal candidate Robert Rock.

Jivani’s video has garnered over 750,000 views within twelve hours of posting it. He shares his personal journey, including his struggles and achievements: from being considered illiterate in Grade 10, to earning a scholarship to Yale University, to beating stage four Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Whether Trudeau’s use of ‘Toofer’ was intentionally derogatory, an ill-conceived attempt by a speechwriter to suggest Jivani was a diversity hire, or an unintended coincidence, the term’s effect and Jivani’s effective response seem to be producing an outcome contrary to Trudeau’s intentions.

Elections Canada recently announced that the date of the by-election for the vacant Durham Parliament seat has to be declared before January 30. 

The Conservatives have held the Durham riding since 2004.