Conservative MP for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo Frank Caputo rises during Question Period, Tuesday, February 7, 2023 in Ottawa. (Photo via Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
Frank Caputo has been given a new seat on the front lines of Parliament.
The MP for Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola has been named as lead critic for Public Safety by leader Pierre Poilievre as part of his “shadow cabinet” announcement on Wednesday.
Caputo previously held the role of associate Justice Critic in the last Parliamentary session.
He says the promotion to the frontbench has ties to his former portfolio.
“I’ve always viewed Justice and Public Safety is two sides of the same coin,” said Caputo of his enjoyment of being able to hold the role of a Justice Critic, given his previous career as a Crown prosecutor. “I think I was able to hold the government to account on multiple different issues, whether it be on federal corrections or on the border, and how many guns are coming over the border, sexual crimes and bail.”
Poilievre had been seemingly cool on Caputo’s role within his inner circle, given his support for Jean Charet during the leadership campaign that Poilievre won.
However, with the Conservatives unable to form government, after a seemingly insurmountable lead in the polls leading up to the resignation of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, it seems Caputo has found new footing in a Conservative Party trying to find its path forward.
“Canada must become a self-reliant country where hard work guarantees people a beautiful home on a safe street protected by solid borders and united under a proud flag,” said Poilievre in a statement. “Lately, it hasn’t felt that way.”
Caputo, considered a moderate compared to the more Conservative elements of the Party, could be aligned with a new way of political thinking that Poilievre seems to have adopted.
“We will work with the government to put an end to unfair American tariffs or to pass good laws-but we will fight hard when the government is wrong,” stated Poilievre in a statement announcing his new critics.
This is a sharp departure from the “attack mode” that Poilievre had adopted over his years as a political up-and-comer, and as party Leader, within the Conservative ranks.
“I’ve got a lot of ideas,” said Caputo in a conversation with Radio NL. “It’s a question, I think, of whether the Minister, wants to have those discussions, but I’ll certainly open the door and hope that he’s amenable to having those discussions.”
Gary Anandasangaree, who represents an Ontario riding in the so-called “905” outside of Greater Toronto, is the Minister of Public Safety, replacing Bill Blair in that role, who was left out of Mark Carney’s cabinet.
At the same time, Kamloops–Shuswap–Central Rockies MP Mel Arnold has been appointed the associate critic for Fisheries.
King Charles is set to open a spring session of the Canadian parliament on May 27th.
Our leadership team and shadow cabinet will work to make Canada a self-reliant country where hard work gets you an affordable house on a safe street protected by strong borders under a proud flag. pic.twitter.com/OuSD5vcM4m
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) May 21, 2025
