Indian-Origin Canadian MP Chandra Arya Enters PM Race To Replace Trudeau: Who Is He?

Last Updated:January 13, 2025, 09:21 IST

Chandra Arya announced a slew of reforms to resolve the crises surrounding Canada's financial and housing issues. His announcement followed Trudeau's decision to step down as PM.

Indian-origin Canadian MP Chandra Arya has announced that he will run as PM. (Photo: X)

Indian-origin Canadian MP Chandra Arya, who has been vocal about Khalistani extremism in the country, has announced that he will run to become the next Prime Minister of Canada days after Justin Trudeau announced his resignation.

“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," he said in a statement on January 9. “Canada deserves leadership that isn’t afraid to make the big decisions."

“We are facing significant structural problems that haven’t been seen for generations and solving them will require tough choices. I have always worked hard for what is best for Canadians, and for the sake of our children and grandchildren, we must make bold decisions that are absolute, necessary. If elected as the next Leader of the Liberal Party I offer my knowledge and expertise to do so," he said.

Arya highlighted core issues affecting Canadians today, like income inequality, steep rise in grocery costs and mortgage payments and no workplace pensions for millions of working citizens. He said many young Canadians are facing significant affordability issues and the only way forward is to take bold steps, promising a GDP target of $5 trillion within 25 years and increasing retirement age.

“I have the solutions and the unwavering determination to make it happen. With prudence and pragmatism as my guiding principles, 1 will make the big and bold decisions needed to rebuild our economy and foster prosperity for all generations. I will lead a small, more efficient government with a cabinet selected on merit and not on DEI quotas," he said.

Who Is Chandra Arya?

Arya is an Indian-origin Liberal MP who has been representing Nepean in Canada’s House of Commons since 2015. Arya hails from the Indian state of Karnataka and was born in the Dwarlu village of Tumkur district. He completed his MBA from the Kousali Institute of Management Studies in Dharwad.

Arya moved to Canada over 20 years ago with his wife and son and began working as an engineer before becoming an investment advisor in a bank. Before entering politics, Arya worked as an executive at a small high-tech defence technology company. He also served as the Chair of Indo-Canada Ottawa Business Chamber and was the founder-director of the Federation of Canadian Brazilian Businesses.

Arya has been elected thrice from Nepean since 2015. As an MP, he has been an outspoken advocate of Canadian Hindus and has clashed with other parliamentarians, including from his own Liberal party, over his views on India-Canada relations and Khalistani extremism in his country.

In November, the Liberal MP clashed with Trudeau’s former ally Jagmeet Singh over “violent Khalistani extremism" in Canada following a clash between Sikh separatists and Hindu worshippers outside a Hindu temple in Brampton. Arya said the pro-Khalistan protesters had crossed a “red line", while Singh accused him of escalating tensions.

Liberal Party To Choose New Leader In March

Meanwhile, the Liberal Party said it would announce the new leader on March 9 ahead of the general elections which Trudeau’s party is widely expected to lose to the Conservative Party led by Pierre Poilievre.

Trudeau had announced on Monday that he would step down as PM and party leader after a successor was chosen amid pressure from lawmakers and widespread unpopularity as the country reels from a financial and housing crisis.

“After a robust and secure nationwide process, the Liberal Party of Canada will choose a new leader on March 9, and be ready to fight and win the 2025 election," the party said in a statement last week. The party said the leadership vote would conclude on March 9 and a new leader would be announced on the same data.

Ottawa, Canada

News world Indian-Origin Canadian MP Chandra Arya Enters PM Race To Replace Trudeau: Who Is He?