Chandra Arya, the Indian-origin Member of Parliament for Nepean, has officially entered the race to lead the Liberal Party and become Canada’s next Prime Minister. His announcement follows Justin Trudeau’s resignation and comes ahead of the Liberal Party’s leadership election scheduled for March 9.
In a post on the platform X (formerly Twitter), Arya declared his candidacy, stating, “I am running to be the next Prime Minister of Canada to lead a small, more efficient government to rebuild our nation and secure prosperity for future generations.” Highlighting Canada’s “significant structural problems,” Arya pledged to take decisive action on key challenges like income inequality and the rising cost of living to ensure a brighter future for Canadians.
Who Is Chandra Arya?
Born in Karnataka, India, Arya immigrated to Canada in 2006 after completing his MBA. An engineer by training, he built a career in finance and technology, working as an investment advisor and serving as an executive in a high-tech defense firm before entering politics. Arya has represented the Nepean riding since 2015 and is known for his outspoken advocacy for the Canadian Hindu community.
Throughout his political career, Arya has taken firm stances on sensitive issues, including Canada-India relations and the debate around Khalistani extremism. His disagreements with NDP leader Jagmeet Singh over pro-Khalistan demonstrations in Brampton brought him into the spotlight. While Arya criticized the protests, Singh accused him of exacerbating tensions, showcasing Arya’s willingness to tackle divisive issues head-on.
A Platform of Reform and Efficiency
Arya’s campaign focuses on fostering a more efficient government, emphasizing merit over diversity quotas in cabinet appointments. He aims to address Canada’s structural issues with practical, results-driven policies, advocating tough but necessary decisions to ensure long-term prosperity.
In addition to his domestic priorities, Arya has worked to strengthen Canada-India ties. His visit to India last year, where he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscored his commitment to fostering better relations between the two nations. Notably, the trip was conducted on his own initiative, without formal representation from the Canadian government.
Leadership Race Dynamics
Arya joins the race as one of the prominent Indian-origin contenders, following the withdrawal of Anita Anand. His entry adds a fresh dynamic to the competition, as candidates position themselves to fill the leadership gap left by Trudeau. Arya’s platform, with its focus on efficiency and structural reforms, will be closely scrutinized as the leadership contest unfolds.