Oxford MP returns from Conservative convention

Oxford MP Arpan Khanna was busy at the recent Conservative Party national convention in Calgary where he delivered a speech to the thousands of delegates. He also appeared on CBC and CPAC panels. (Arpan Khanna Photo)

Lee Griffi, Editor

“The beautiful thing to see was 3,000 people showed up from across the country.”

That’s how Oxford Member of Parliament Arpan Khanna described his top takeaway from the Conservative Party of Canada’s national convention in Calgary last weekend. The riding was well represented with 10 people in attendance as delegates, but the MP said he was encouraged by the diverse coalition of supporters.

“We had folks from different regions, different demographics, backgrounds and faiths. We had blue-collar and trade workers; there was even a lady who had a sign, ‘Boomers for Pierre.’ We also had a lot of young people whom I have not typically seen in the past, and that speaks to Pierre’s leadership to see such a growing blue tent.”

Khanna said he spent a lot of time talking to people from across the country and the issues they brought up were similar.

“They are all facing similar hardships. I was talking to people from BC affected by lumber mills closing down. There is a lot of uncertainty and anxiety over the cost of living, affordability and crime.”

He added people are counting on his party for hope and they want a Conservative government when the next election comes around, and explained the convention was a big success for the party.

“Overall, it was very positive, not what the mainstream media was saying leading up to it. We saw that the grassroots movement is strong and Pierre (Poilievre) received a strong mandate.”

At the convention, delegates held a mandatory leadership review of Pierre Poilievre after the party’s defeat in the 2025 federal election. Under party rules, every leader who has led the party through an election loss must face this review.

Rather than holding a complex contested vote, delegates were simply asked whether they wanted Poilievre to remain as party leader — and the result was strong. He was overwhelmingly endorsed by his party members as 87.4 per cent of delegates voted in favour of him remaining leader, making him the first Conservative leader since Stephen Harper to secure a second leadership mandate.

The review came after Poilievre led the Conservatives to a fourth consecutive federal election loss against the Liberals. The leader has secured a clear mandate from party delegates to continue leading the party into the next election cycle.

Khanna delivered a six-minute speech at the convention, praising Poilievre and promising to keep up the fight to overthrow the Liberals at the next vote which some experts believe could come as early as this spring.

“We need to work hard together to share Pierre’s vision for Canada, where homes are affordable, streets are safe, and hard work truly pays off. A Canada that is united, thriving and full of opportunity, where every sacrifice means something.”

He added his number one priority is to ensure Oxford is well represented at Ottawa, despite not being in government.

“I’ve been working on that since day one, whether it’s in Parliament or in the community, listening to people’s concerns and helping thousands of constituents with their issues. I think we had over 5,000 cases resolved for residents last year.”

Khanna said the party is more unified than ever, pointing to Poilievre’s strong support as a benefit when the next writ is dropped. The Oxford MP has a long history with the opposition leader.

“I was his campaign co-chair when he ran for the leadership. I’ve always believed in his vision in terms of getting our country back on track. I’ve had a long history with other elected officials, dating back to the Steven Harper governments, for Jason Kenney and a few others.”

Khanna has also been involved with provincial politics for the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, and the MP was recently given the title of National Outreach Chair for the federal party and sits on its leadership team.

“We are united in our values and love for our country to make sure we have a strong, self-reliant, sovereign and prosperous nation.”