Chandra Arya, Liberal MP, Declares Intent to Run for Party Leadership

January 9, 2025 TruthUSA

MP Chandra Arya is the second candidate and first current Liberal caucus member to declare his candidacy for the leadership of the Party.

Arya announced his decision in a video message on Jan. 9, stating that the country needs to provide equal opportunities for younger generations to “unleash” entrepreneurship, and allow children and grandchildren to “embrace family values and take pride in a renewed, vibrant Canadian identity.”

Arya also pledged to make Canada a “sovereign republic,” which would involve replacing the monarchy as the head of state. He also outlined in a statement plans to restructure or eliminate government programs that are no longer relevant.

Arya, representing the Ontario riding of Nepean, is the first sitting MP to announce his candidacy for the leadership of the Liberal Party.

Arya holds degrees in engineering and business administration and has a background as an executive in the high-tech sector. He immigrated to Canada from India in 2006, becoming the chairman of the Indo-Canada Ottawa Business Chamber before being elected to Parliament in 2015.

Arya sponsored a petition in the House of Commons in 2023 calling for the Liberal government to reconsider setting up a “foreign influence transparency registry.” The petition warned that such a registry was a “misleading way to identify sources of foreign influence” and posed the risk of causing “serious harassment and stigmatization risk for racialized communities.” The petition was tabled as the government considered such a registry amid intelligence reports of China’s meddling in Canadian elections. The government eventually enacted the registration as part of its legislation to combat foreign interference passed last year.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Jan. 6 his intention to step down following the selection of a new leader by the Liberal Party. He also asked Gov. Gen. Mary Simon to prorogue Parliament until March 24, a request she granted.

Businessman and former parliamentarian Frank Baylis was the first to announce his candidacy for leadership.

Several cabinet ministers, including Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, and Employment Minister Steven MacKinnon, have expressed interest in running for the leadership.

Former B.C. Premier Christy Clark and former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney are also considering entering the race for leadership.

Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc stated on Jan. 8 that he would not run for leadership, citing a focus on preparing for potential tariffs from the United States. Immigration Minister Marc Miller has also ruled out running for the position.

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