Oxford MP appointed to justice critic role

Arpan Khanna has been appointed the Official Opposition's shadow minister for justice and attorney general of Canada, while continuing to serve as the Conservative Party's national outreach chair. arpankhannamp.ca photo

By Jeff Helsdon

Oxford MP Arpan Khanna says he will be creative while holding the government to account in his new role as the official opposition's shadow minister for justice and attorney general of Canada.

Khanna’s appointment was announced among other shuffles in the Conservative benches by Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre on June 30. Khanna will also continue to serve as the Conservative Party's national outreach chair.

As a former lawyer, Khanna brings legal experience and a strong record of advocating for common-sense justice reform. In Parliament, he was active on the file, introducing the “Jail Not Bail Act,” which championed tougher measures to keep repeat violent offenders behind bars and restore accountability to Canada's justice system.

Interviewed the next day, Khanna was upfront that the new role will be a challenge in the face of what he called the “manufactured majority” in Parliament and changes in the structure of the committees. But he said he will do everything he can to fight for a justice system that protects victims, secures the borders, upholds the rights and freedoms of law-abiding Canadians and ensures violent criminals face meaningful consequences.

“I will use every tool in the toolbox to fight for Canadians,” he said.

The shadow cabinet is a team of opposition MPs who are assigned roles to monitor government ministers and offer alternative policies.

"I look forward to getting to work with our Conservative team on behalf of Canadians. Our message is simple; Canadians deserve a justice system that protects the innocent, supports victims, respects the rights of law-abiding Canadians and puts public safety first. We are ready to do the work to restore confidence in our justice system."

Khanna’s portfolio overlaps with Shadow Minister for Public Safety Frank Caputo’s on the firearms file. This is a large issue in rural Canada where gun owners are critical of Liberal policies they say target them instead of criminals. Khanna said he will “defend lawful gun owners while keeping criminals off the streets.”

Although his responsibilities have increased at the national level, Khanna said his priority is still Oxford residents.

"My commitment to the people of Oxford remains unwavering,” he said. “It is the honour of a lifetime to represent our community in Parliament, and I will continue fighting every day for the families, workers, farmers and businesses that make Oxford such a great place to call home.