Canada: On January 9, Chandra Arya, a Member of Parliament of Indian origin and a former supporter of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, declared his intention to run for Prime Minister of Canada following Trudeau’s resignation. In a post on X, Arya expressed his commitment to leading a more efficient government aimed at rebuilding the nation and ensuring prosperity for future generations.
Arya highlighted the significant challenges Canada faces, including strained international relations and domestic controversies, particularly regarding the Khalistan issue and visa restrictions on Indian students. He stated, “We are facing significant structural problems that haven’t been seen for generations, and solving them will require tough choices.”
He emphasized the need for bold political decisions to address issues like affordability for younger Canadians and the struggles of the working middle class, stating that many families are retiring into poverty. “Canada deserves leadership that isn’t afraid to make the big decisions,” he said, promising to restore hope and create equal opportunities for all Canadians.
Originally from Dwarlu village in Karnataka, Arya immigrated to Canada in 2006 and entered politics after serving as the chairman of the Indo-Canada Ottawa Business Chamber. He has been an MP for the Nepean riding since 2015 and has been re-elected in 2019 and 2021. Arya is known for addressing the House of Commons in Kannada and has been vocal about issues such as vandalism of Hindu temples in Toronto.
In his policy proposals, Arya suggested limiting immigration to meet economic needs, criminalizing support for terrorism, and guaranteeing the construction of over 100,000 prefab homes. He also advocated for prioritizing Canada’s specific defense needs and proposed ending the consumer carbon tax, aiming to make Canada a sovereign republic.
Arya is the first member of the Liberal Caucus to announce his candidacy for party leader, joining former Liberal MP Frank Baylis as a declared candidate. Other potential candidates include Gatineau MP Steve MacKinnon, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, and former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney. The Liberal Party has yet to announce the rules for the upcoming leadership contest.