Nepean MP hopes to one day be Prime Minister

A local candidate: Nepean MP Chandra Arya is the first Liberal caucus MP to announce he’s running to be the party's next leader after Justin Trudeau’s resignation earlier this week. 

First elected in 2015, Arya announced the news on X, stating he would “lead a small, more efficient government to rebuild our nation and secure prosperity for future generations.”

He also used it as an opportunity to attack his own Liberal party’s current policies. 

• “We have a perfect storm: Many Canadians, especially younger generations, face significant affordability issues. (The) working middle class is struggling today, and many working families are retiring directly into poverty,” wrote Arya. 

So what’s his platform? Arya, who was born in India, wrote that changes need to be made to the immigration system, stating: “Many immigrants now see Canada as a fly-by country, treating citizenship and our passport as a backup plan rather than a commitment to our nation. Canadian citizenship is a privilege, not a convenience.”

Arya said that “Canadians of convenience” who currently get a “free pass” would need to contribute to funding social infrastructure under a citizen-based taxation system. 

Ending terrorism: The Nepean MP also said the glorification and support of terrorism or extremism-based organizations would be criminalized. That would be done through a “modern” national law enforcement agency. 

Ending the carbon tax: Arya said he would put an end to the carbon tax, and ”scientists, engineers, and industry professionals will lead the way in crafting fact-based policies to grow our economy and tackle climate change effectively.“

Other policies: Arya's plan also includes recognizing the sovereign state of Palestine as part of a peaceful two-state solution, positioning Canada as an energy superpower, guaranteeing over 100,000 prefab housing units, and making “Canada a sovereign union." 

• “Every government program and entity will face a simple question: Is it still relevant? If not, it's gone or will be restructured to deliver economic development. No excuses, no waste,” said Arya. ”We will have a razor-sharp focus on economic implications in all decisions we make.”

So, does he stand a chance? The short answer is no... Arya has never climbed the ranks during his decade at Parliament Hill and has faced criticism from his constituents for not doing much for the community. 

By the numbers: Polling on 338 Canada shows Arya is likely to lose his seat, with the Conservatives having a 99 per cent chance of winning. Arya and the Liberals are polling at 29 per cent in Nepean, with the Conservatives at 45 per cent. The NDP are at 20 per cent and Green Party at four per cent. 

Other candidates: It is widely speculated that Mark Carney, former Governor of the Bank of Canada, will run for the Liberal Party leadership, and he is being seen as a serious contender. Where he’d run locally is still in the air, but it would most likely be in a vigorous Liberal riding in Ottawa. There was a suggestion it would be in Ottawa South, where David McGuinty currently holds office, but he’s now serving as the Minister of Public Safety and isn’t showing signs of leaving. Another option could be in the east end, where there is a strong Liberal wall. 

Polling shows Carney in second place as a possible contender, with former finance Minister Christia Freeland in first place. Sources say she’s been making calls to consider a possible leadership run. Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has also stated she’s considering running.