Khanna seeking a second term in Oxford

(Contributed photo)

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Arpan Khanna was born into a working-class family in Canada, and he is proud to call East Zorra-Tavistock home, where he lives with his wife, Sim, and their two boys, Arvin and Ayvan.

“Before being elected as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Oxford in 2023, I worked as a lawyer and small business owner. Outside of politics, I enjoy spending time at the shooting range and am a proud member of the Oxford Fish and Game Club.”

Khanna added volunteering and serving the community are important to him.

“I volunteer with GlobalMedic, a Canadian charity, where I have helped pack and deliver thousands of pounds of food and hygiene kits to local organizations like Operation Sharing, the Helping Hand Food Bank, and the Salvation Army right here in Oxford, as well as to other vital organizations across Canada.”

Khanna said he entered politics to help restore the Canadian promise his parents believed in.

“A country where, if you work hard, you can build a good life and raise a family with dignity. I also saw the need to unleash Oxford and Canada’s full potential. There’s too much chaos and not enough focus on real solutions. I want to be a strong local voice that stands up for our families, our workers, and the next generation.

He added there are three key issues for him in this campaign, the first one being affordability.

“Too many seniors are struggling. People are working harder but falling further behind. The dream of owning a home and building a future is slipping away. We must make life more affordable and restore the hope that hard work will pay off.”

He also wants to put Oxford and Canada first to protect our sovereignty, support our farmers and auto sector, and stop the decline of Canadian values and opportunities. Having safe communities is also top of mind.

“Crime and addiction are rising across our country, including here in Oxford. We need to tackle the root causes of crime, support those battling addiction with treatment, and ensure law-abiding citizens feel safe in our streets, schools and community centres. There have been too many heartbreaking stories of finding needles at parks.”

Kanna explained he wants to help build an Oxford where families can thrive, whether someone is raising kids in Tavistock, commuting from Thamesford, or retiring in Tillsonburg.

“That means making life more affordable, protecting local jobs in our auto and agriculture sectors, and ensuring seniors on fixed incomes aren’t left behind. I want to make sure Oxford remains a place where hard work pays off, where you can own a home, feel safe in your community, and build a future for the next generation.”

If re-elected, Khanna said he will focus on homelessness and crime, along with economic growth.

“The recent instability in the North American auto industry has deeply affected the communities of Ingersoll and Woodstock and the Oxford economy. It impacts our auto plants and the thousands of spin-off jobs it creates. I am committed to supporting our auto industry by advocating for policies that protect existing jobs, attract new investments, and promote economic diversification to strengthen the local economy and spin-off opportunities.”

He added Tillsonburg has a diverse job market, but residents have expressed concerns about job availability and economic growth.

“I plan to support initiatives stimulating local businesses, attracting new industries, and creating employment opportunities to ensure a thriving community.”

Khanna explained agriculture is central to the communities in East Zorra–Tavistock.

“I will advocate for our farmers by working to reduce unnecessary regulations, open new markets, and provide the necessary resources and support to ensure their continued success and sustainability. This includes defending supply management to protect our agricultural sector.

He added it has been the honour of a lifetime to fight for Oxford in Ottawa over the last two years.

“I’ve always had an open-door policy and have worked hard to help thousands of residents with their federal concerns. From launching a youth council to fixing the Beachville tracks to opening a pop-up office in Tillsonburg.”

He added he has worked to expose the failures of Canada’s broken immigration system and brought forward ideas and legislation to put Canada first.

“Oxford is my home. I’ll never stop working to put our community first.”