In a surprising turn, Ontario Member of Parliament Chandra Arya announced on Sunday that the Liberal Party of Canada has barred him from participating in its leadership race. Arya, who represents the Nepean riding, expressed his disappointment in an email to supporters, stating that he is awaiting official communication from the party and is contemplating his next steps.“Today, I was informed by the Liberal Party of Canada that I will not be permitted to enter the leadership race,” Arya wrote. “While I await their official communication, I am carefully considering my next steps.”
The Liberal Party has not yet provided a public explanation for Arya’s disqualification. According to party rules, candidates must submit their nominations by January 23, with signatures from 300 registered Liberals and a $50,000 deposit. The party is set to announce its new leader on March 9, following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to step down. Arya said his exclusion from the race raises questions about the transparency and inclusivity of the leadership selection process. In his email, he remarked, “This decision raises significant questions about the legitimacy of the leadership race and, by extension, the legitimacy of the next Prime Minister of Canada.”
Before entering politics, Arya was an executive in the high-technology sector and served on the board of Invest Ottawa, promoting the city’s knowledge-based economy. He also held positions with the Unity Non-Profit Housing Corporation Ottawa and the Ottawa Community Immigrants Services Organization.
The current roster of approved candidates for the Liberal leadership includes former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, ex-Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, government house leader Karina Gould, Nova Scotia MP Jaime Battiste, Montreal-based entrepreneur Frank Baylis, and former MP Ruby Dhalla.