Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has shuffled the roles within his caucus and said this week that his team’s core focus will be fighting for affordability.
The Conservative Party announced changes to what it calls its “shadow cabinet” on June 30, shortly after Parliament adjourned for the summer. The shuffle marks the first major reorganization of the caucus since the April 2025 election.
“This team will have three priorities: affordability, affordability, and affordability,” Poilievre said in a statement.
Poilievre said his party would also fight for national unity and better health care, while opposing tariffs, crime, and corruption—issues that he says have been made “worse by Liberal recessions and inflation.”
The Tory top leadership team remains intact with Melissa Lantsman and Tim Uppal serving as deputy leaders. Andrew Scheer stays on as House leader, backed by Luc Berthold, and Chris Warkentin will continue in the role of chief opposition whip.
Some of the most notable changes are in high-profile critic portfolios, including finance and foreign affairs.
Michael Chong, who has served as foreign affairs critic for an extended period and held the role under former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole in 2022, will now replace Jasraj Singh Hallan as finance critic.
During his tenure as foreign affairs critic, Chong focused on issues such as repression and foreign interference by the Chinese regime. He recently visited Taiwan in defiance of warnings from Beijing for Canadian parliamentarians to stay away from the island nation, which China seeks to bring under its control.
Duncan was previously in charge of coordinating question period for the Tories in the House of Commons.
Another key change in Poilievre’s front bench is the replacement of Larry Brock as justice critic. Brock, a former crown prosecutor, is replaced by Arpan Khanna, who practised real estate and immigration law before entering politics.
Brock issued a statement on June 30 saying he decided to step back from the role for personal reasons. Brock said Poilievre has his “full support,” while Poilievre thanked Brock for his work pushing for criminal justice reforms, calling him “one of the greatest legal minds in the country.”
The Conservative shuffle comes after several trying months that saw four defections to the Liberal Party. Polls also show the Liberals and Prime Minister Mark Carney keeping a solid lead over the Tories and Poilievre in favourability, more than a year after the 2025 election.
Some of the new Tory MPs who won their first election in 2025 were appointed to critic roles. This includes former Ontario MPP Roman Baber, who will serve as shadow minister for civil liberties.
B.C. MP Aaron Gunn enters the shadow cabinet as the ethics critic. He replaces Michael Barrett who was moved to veterans affairs.
Carol Anstey from Newfoundland and Labrador replaces Shannon Stubbs as natural resources critic. Stubbs will now oversee the infrastructure file. Ontario MP Sandra Cobena becomes Treasury Board critic, replacing Stephanie Kusie who will be international trade critic.
Some Tory MPs on key files have retained their roles, such as Michelle Rempel Garner on immigration and James Bezan on defence.
A total of 83 Tory MPs have roles in the shadow cabinet, out of a caucus of 140 members.
Carney has not conducted a major cabinet shuffle since last May, visiting Rideau Hall only to replace departing ministers such as Chrystia Freeland and Steven Guilbeault.
