TORONTO (TIP): Chandra Arya, Liberal MP from Nepean, sprang a surprise on Friday, January 10 by declaring his candidature for the position of Prime Minister of Canada.

In a social media post, Arya announced his candidature, holding that he was “ready to lead a small, more efficient government to rebuild our nation and secure prosperity for future generations.”

While the process to choose a successor to Justin Trudeau is still to be formally initiated, he has become the first candidate to make public his intent. He is known for his “pro-India stance” as he has been openly opposing any proposals or motions brought up on the floor of the House in support of Sikh separatism or “anti-India campaigns.”

Justin Trudeau often faced criticism by the Government of India for not taking any action against those performing “anti-India activities carried out from the Canadian soil.”

When Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland sprang a major surprise by sending a stunning resignation letter to Justin Trudeau on December 17, hours before she was to present her fall Financial Statement in the House of Commons, Chandra Arya was the first member of the Liberal caucus to declare his support to her as replacement of Justin Trudeau.

He was also the first Liberal MP of South Asian descent to ask Justin Trudeau to step down as he claimed he had a “difference of opinion” with the Prime Minister on various contagious issues. He posted a letter on his social media handles within a few hours after Justin Trudeau rejigged his Cabinet following Chrystia Freeland’s 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. 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 necessary. If elected as the next Leader of the Liberal Party, I offer my knowledge and expertise to do so. 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. Canada deserves leadership that is not afraid to make the big decisions. Decisions that rebuild our economy, restore hope, create equal opportunities for all Canadians, and secure prosperity for our children and grandchildren.

“Bold political decisions are not optional—they are necessary. With prudence and pragmatism as my guiding principles, I am stepping forward to take on this responsibility and lead Canada as its next Prime Minister. Join me in this journey. Let us rebuild, revitalize, and secure the future. For all Canadians, for generations to come,” he said in his social media post.

He said that more details, including his policy proposals, were in the statement next in the thread. You can also visit my website http://AryaCanada.ca which will be operational later today,” he concluded.

(Prabhjot Singh, is a Toronto-based award winning independent journalist, He was celebrated by AIPS, the international body of sports journalists, for covering ten Olympics at its centennial celebrations held at UNESCO Centre in Paris during the 2024 Olympic Games. Besides, he has written extensively about business and the financial markets, the health industry, the public and private sectors, and aviation. He has worked as a political reporter besides covering Sikh and Punjab politics. He is particularly interested in Indian Diaspora and Sikh Diaspora in particular. His work has also appeared in various international and national  newspapers, magazines and journals)