26th Jan: Nepean MP Chandra Arya has confirmed that the Liberal Party of Canada has informed him that he is not eligible to run in the leadership race to succeed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. In a statement shared on social media, Arya revealed the news, saying that he had been notified by the party on Saturday. He is still awaiting an official letter from the party and is carefully evaluating his next course of action.
The MP expressed his concerns about the fairness of the leadership contest and raised questions about the legitimacy of the process. “This decision raises significant questions about the legitimacy of the leadership race and the next prime minister of Canada,” Arya said in his statement.
Arya was among the seven individuals who met the Liberal Party’s deadline on Thursday for submitting their nomination papers and fulfilling the initial financial requirements. Other candidates in the race include former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland, and House leader Karina Gould, to name a few.
Liberal Party spokesperson Parker Lund clarified that while candidates will be officially confirmed after a 10-day review process, Elections Canada’s approval will also be required. Arya expressed his gratitude to volunteers and reaffirmed his dedication to working for the benefit of Canadians, stating that he will continue his efforts to ensure a prosperous future for the next generation.
Known for being the first sitting MP to announce a leadership bid, Arya had expressed bold positions during his campaign, including his intention to dismantle the monarchy and his belief that his lack of French fluency would not hinder his appeal to French-speaking Canadians. Elected in 2015, Arya has served as a backbench MP throughout his time in office.
