Khanna continues fightagainst home invasions

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Oxford MP Arpan Khanna, the Official Opposition Shadow Minister for Justice and the Attorney General, raised concerns about home invasions during a meeting with Justice Minister Sean Fraser last week.

In the wake of a 50 percent increase in home invasions, Khanna’s caucus colleague Vaughan-Woodbridge MP Michael Guglielmen introduced his Private Member’s Bill, the Safe at Home Act, two weeks ago. If passed, the legislation would make home invasions a standalone offense with a five-year minimum sentence, which is not currently the case. Typically, a home invader is charged with multiple offenses, but often pleads down to one charge. In addition, six months ago, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and his team announced the Stand on Guard Act. This legislation would give home occupants more rights when it comes to self-defense.

“As expected, I didn’t get a confirmation or acceptance; they will try to move our bills along,” Khanna said. “He (Fraser) understood this is a concern for Canadians, but we were also talking about other bills coming before Parliament.”

Bills dealing with Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) and protecting children during a divorce were a larger part of the conversation.

“There were other bills he talked more about, and less about the priorities the Conservatives wanted, but I remain optimistic we can get to an actual agreement that will work for Canadians,” Khanna said.

Asked what’s next, the Oxford MP said he will continue to ask tough questions in Parliament on home invasions and plans to launch a cross-country tour to seek input.

Calling it the Victims First Tour, Khanna explained, “I will be meeting with victims from across Canada, hearing their stories, hearing their experiences trying to find ways to improve the justice system so we have a victims-first justice system instead of a criminals-first justice system, which is the way it currently exists with the Liberals.”

He also plans on bringing witnesses before the Justice Committee to speak about their experiences.

“I’m not one of those guys who takes no for an answer when it comes to fighting for Canadians,” Khanna said. “If the government wants to work with us, we’ll be there to work with them, but if the government wants to put up roadblocks for public safety, they’ll get a fight from the Conservatives, and we’re not going to back down from them in restoring safe streets. We’ll do whatever we can, we’ll use every single tool in our toolbox to fight for Canadians’ safety.”

Previously, Khanna introduced the Jail Not Bail Act, which championed tougher measures to keep repeat violent offenders behind bars and restore accountability to Canada's justice system. It was voted down on second reading, with the government saying its Bail and Sentencing Reform Act enacted tougher sentencing. Conservatives argued the government bill didn’t go as far as Khanna’s proposal.

“I think it’s important the government keeps Canadians safe; that’s their number one job,” Khanna said. “If they’re going to fail, I’ll do whatever I can to highlight their failures and at the same time propose solutions.”

Have your say

How safe do you feel in your community?

The Tillsonburg Post and its sister papers are surveying residents to assess their feelings on community safety. This survey lets you speak out on community safety, homelessness, home invasions, self-defense, and more. The survey is short, and will only take less than five minutes.

Results will be published in a future paper. Be sure to have your say before the survey closes.

The survey can be accessed at https://www.surveyhero.com/c/rwqakgmp or by scanning the attached QR code.