 "Chandra Arya is a current member of the Canadian House of Commons. Image courtesy: X/@AryaCanada")
An Indian-origin Canadian Member of Parliament has declared his candidacy for the position of Canada’s next Prime Minister.
Chandra Arya, representing Nepean, said that his goal is to “rebuild Canada" with a focus on a “small, efficient" government.
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This announcement comes only a few days after Justin Trudeau stepped down as Prime Minister amid increasing dissatisfaction with his leadership and escalating unrest within his administration.
With Trudeau’s resignation, he also announced the suspension of Parliament until March 24. When sessions resume, opposition parties are expected to push for a non-confidence vote, which could lead to a general election.
Who is Chandra Arya?
1. Arya is a current member of the Canadian House of Commons.
2. Originally from Dwarlu village in Sira Taluk of Karnataka’s Tumkur district, he emigrated to Canada in 2006 with his wife and son.
3. He is a long-time supporter of Justin Trudeau.
4. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Kousali Institute of Management Studies in Dharwad.
5. Arya was first elected to the House of Commons in 2015 during Trudeau’s Liberal wave, which secured a majority.
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6. A vocal critic of Khalistani extremism in Canada, Arya previously urged the Trudeau government to address the concerns of Canada’s Hindu community.
7. In 2022, Arya gained attention for delivering a speech in Kannada at the Canadian Parliament. He said it was the first time that the language was spoken in any parliament outside India.
8. In November last year, he raised a triangular saffron flag outside the Canadian Parliament to celebrate Hindu Heritage Month and called for greater Hindu Canadian political representation. He said that Hindu Canadians are “underrepresented in the political sphere”.
9. His campaign includes promises to make Canada a republic, eliminate the consumer carbon tax, and recognise Palestine as a state, according to his statement posted on X.
10. He is contesting to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as leader of the Liberal Party, joining another Indian-origin candidate, Canada’s Transportation Minister Anita Anand, in the race.
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Chandra Arya’s presidential bid
In a video statement, he expressed his vision for leading Canada with an efficient government to rebuild the nation.
“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. I have always worked hard for what is best for Canadians. For the sake of our children and grandchildren, we must make bold decisions that are absolutely necessary,” he said.
Arya promised to use his expertise as the next Liberal Party leader, if elected, to address several structural challenges. He pointed out Canada’s economic difficulties, stating that many Canadians, particularly younger generations, struggle with affordability.
“If elected, as the next leader of the Liberal Party, I offer my knowledge and expertise to do so. We are facing significant structural problems that haven’t been seen for generations and solving them will require tough choices. Our economic growth and fiscal strength are not benefiting many Canadians. Today, many Canadians, especially younger generations, face significant affordability issues,” he said.
He also vowed to revitalise the economy and provide better opportunities for Canadians.
“The working middle class is struggling today and many working families are retiring directly into poverty. We must make tough decisions now, not only to revitalise our economy but also to ensure a stable society,” he said.
Arya also discussed the need to combat extremism, promising to “criminalise the glorification of terrorists, extremism and terrorist organisations.”
He further stated that decisions under his leadership would be “based on merit” rather than “DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) quotas.
Why Justin Trudeau resigned
Trudeau stepped down as Prime Minister amid rising voter dissatisfaction and internal party challenges. He admitted that he could not lead the party into the next election due to internal battles.
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He announced that he would remain the Prime Minister until the Liberal Party selects a new leader.
He said, “I don’t easily back down faced with a fight, especially a very important one for our party and the country. But I do this job because the interests of Canadians and the well-being of democracy” are “something that I hold dear.”
Trudeau came to power in 2015, ending a decade of Conservative Party rule, and was initially celebrated for returning Canada to its liberal roots. However, his popularity declined in recent years due to issues such as the rising cost of living, surging immigration, and internal scandals.
Over his tenure, Trudeau favoured several causes supported by his liberal base, including immigration, during a period when many nations tightened borders.
As the second-youngest Prime Minister in Canada’s history, he proved critics wrong who considered his age a liability after achieving a sweeping victory in 2015.
With inputs from agencies