Conservative MP Jamil Jivani attending inauguration as 'good friend' J.D. Vance sworn in as VP

Conservative MP Jamil Jivani says he'll work to improve the "toxic" Canada-U.S. relationship when he travels to Washington to watch his friend J.D. Vance take the oath of office as U.S. vice-president on Monday. 

In a note to constituents obtained by CBC News, Jivani said Vance's inauguration "is a special moment for me personally."

The MP for Durham and the American senator for Ohio have been friends since they both attended Yale. Jivani said he has "remained close" with his "good friend" since school, having read a Bible verse at Vance's 2014 wedding and saying the U.S. politician checked in on him when he was diagnosed with cancer in 2018.

"But I am not there just to congratulate my friend. I am also there to begin the steps in what will be a long and laborious process to build and strengthen relationships between Canada and the United States," Jivani said. 

Trump has vowed to impose punishing 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian imports on Day 1 in office, a move economists say could devastate the economy. 

In his letter, Jivani blamed the current economic crunch as "the direct result of a toxic dynamic" between the Liberal government and Trump's first administration. 

"Positive change is unlikely to happen overnight. But those who can do so must play their part in laying a foundation for the two independent countries with distinct histories and traditions to respect each other and work together," Jivani wrote. "That is what I am trying to help accomplish." 

Canada preparing to retaliate if Trump moves ahead with tariffs

The Canadian government has been readying to respond with retaliatory tariffs if Trump signs that executive order on Monday as promised, according to sources.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the country's provincial leaders earlier this week to discuss a plan, with all but one premier agreeing to form a united front and that "everything" is on the table in Canada's counter-measures, including restrictions on or higher costs for Canadian oil and gas shipped to the U.S.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who is also headed to Washington on Monday and met with Trump last weekend, refused to sign the joint communique at the end of the summit.

In a social media post, Smith said she could not go along with the Canadian plan to take on Trump because federal government officials "continue to publicly and privately float the idea of cutting off energy supply to the U.S. and imposing export tariffs on Alberta energy and other products to the United States."

Jivani's trip comes as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre faces increased pressure about how he'd navigate the incoming administration if elected prime minister in an all-but-certain spring election. 

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Poilievre agreed Canada should be prepared to use every economic tool necessary to retaliate. But he dodged a question about whether Canada's energy exports should be part of a Canadian retaliatory strategy.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is in Washington this week meeting with both Republicans and Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, South Carolina Sen. Lindsay Graham, New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, and Idaho Sen. James Risch.

Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne has said he'll attend the inauguration on Monday.