MP fields questions, hears issues during skate

MP Arpan Khanna and his son Arvin hold the door open for skaters at a community skate held in Tillsonburg recently. The free skate is one in a series the MP is hosting across the county. (Contributed Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Oxford Member of Parliament Arpan Khanna answered questions about the current state of federal politics and listened to the issues facing the residents of Tillsonburg during a free community skate he hosted on Jan. 12.

One of several community skates, Khanna said the purpose was to put politics aside and get to know people. Admitting he isn’t the best skater, Khanna said he strapped on his blades and got back on the ice 20 years later.

One of the questions Khanna heard a lot was confusion surrounding what a prorogued government means.

“With the tariffs, they felt the government should be working,” he said.

Expanding on this point, he said the Liberals will pick a new leader on March 9, and said if an election follows that month depends if NDP leader Jagmeet Singh stays true to his word in supporting a non-confidence motion.

Parliament is scheduled to resume on March 24. The Liberals have a choice if they have a throne speech or go right to the budget. A supply agreement must be passed by March 31 or the government will run out of money, but Khanna said if the House of Commons dissolves due to an election there are special measures that could be put in place to provide the government with money.

“This shouldn’t be a situation where the government has no money,” he said.

Another issue raised by those attending the skate was affordability, and he said there was an appreciation of the skates because it gives people a chance to go out and do something with their kids at no cost. The other issue he heard about was homelessness, combined with drugs and addictions.

“Some of the folks said there was an increase in drug use they haven’t seen before,” Khanna said.

Khanna also has a pop-up clinic the second Tuesday of every month at the Livingston Centre in Tillsonburg.