Chandra Arya

Arya is native of Dwarlu village, Sira Taluk, Tumkur district, Karnataka state. He earned his M.B.A at Kousali Institute of Management Studies, Dharwad, an affiliate of Karnataka University.{{Cite web|title=Kannada in Canadian parliament: MP Chandra Arya creates history|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2022/may/21/kannada-in-canadian-parliament-mp-chandra-arya-creates-history-2456052.html|access-date=May 22, 2022|website=newindianexpress|date=May 21, 2022 }} In 2006, Arya immigrated to Canada. He was the chairman of the Indo-Canada Ottawa Business Chamber prior to entering politics.{{Cite web |title=Liberal candidate Chandra Arya secures third straight win in Nepean riding |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/riding-results-early-lead-for-liberal-candidate-chandra-arya-in-nepean |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=ottawacitizen |language=en-CA}}

Arya was elected to represent the riding of Nepean in the House of Commons of Canada in the 2015 federal election and was re-elected in the 2019 and 2021 elections.{{Cite news |date=October 21, 2019 |title=Liberal Chandra Arya returns in Nepean |work=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/nepean-federal-election-2019-1.5325882 |access-date=September 17, 2020}}{{cite web |title=Nepean Race A Nail-biter to the Finish |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/politics/nepean-race-a-nail-biter-to-the-finish |newspaper=Ottawa Sun}}{{cite web |date=20 October 2015 |title=19 Indian-Canadians elected to Canadian parliament |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/nris-in-news/19-indian-canadians-elected-to-canadian-parliament/articleshow/49464520.cms |access-date=20 October 2015 |newspaper=The Economic Times |archive-date=11 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151111145903/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/nris-in-news/19-indian-canadians-elected-to-canadian-parliament/articleshow/49464520.cms |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |date=Sep 23, 2015 |title=Nepean: How much experience does an MP need? |url=https://ottawasun.com/2015/09/22/nepean-how-much-experience-does-an-mp-need/wcm/b0f34009-8a87-4094-a280-36e73c5c285c |access-date=May 17, 2020 |newspaper=Ottawa Sun}} He served as a member of the Standing Committee on International Trade.{{Cite web |title=Standing Committee on International Trade |url=https://www.ourcommons.ca/Committees/en/CIIT/Members?membershipOn=2020-08-18#committeeMembersPanel |access-date=September 17, 2020 |website=House of Commons}}

During the 2021 election campaign, Arya was criticized by members of the Ottawa Punjabi Association, who put up anti-Arya signs during the campaign. They accused him of not taking a stronger stance against the Indian government's efforts to reform certain farming practices.{{Cite news |last=Rana |first=Uday |date=2021-09-18 |title=Punjabi voters demand candidates take a stand on Indian farmers' movement |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-punjabi-voters-demand-candidates-take-a-stand-on-indian-farmers/ |access-date=2023-02-08}}

In 2022, Arya became the first member of parliament to speak in Kannada, his mother tongue, in the House of Commons of Canada. Arya blamed "Khalistani extremists" for vandalizing Hindu temples in Toronto.{{Cite web |title=Sikh independence referendum in Canada unfolds amid angry clashes, India's condemnation |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/sikh-independence-referendum-clashes-and-condemnation |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=nationalpost |language=en-CA}}

On April 14, 2023, Arya sponsored petition e-4395, calling on the Liberal government to reconsider setting up a "foreign influence transparency registry."{{Cite web |title=Ottawa Liberal MP Arya sponsors e-petition calling on government to reconsider proposed foreign influence transparency registry |url=https://www.hilltimes.com/story/2023/04/15/ottawa-liberal-mp-arya-sponsors-e-petition-calling-on-government-to-reconsider-proposed-foreign-influence-transparency-registry/385037/ |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=The Hill Times |language=en-CA}} Arya told Global News that he agrees with the concerns expressed by the petitioners.{{Cite web |title=Why a Liberal MP is sponsoring a petition to reconsider foreign agent registry - National {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9627840/foreign-agent-registry-petition-chandra-arya/ |access-date=2023-04-30 |website=Global News |language=en-US}} Trudeau, who was asked about the petition, responded by saying he supported the registry but argued to be cautious with the implementation.{{Cite web |title=Trudeau says feds must be 'very careful' on foreign agents registry {{!}} Watch News Videos Online |url=https://globalnews.ca/video/9629289/trudeau-says-feds-must-be-very-careful-on-foreign-agents-registry/ |access-date=2023-05-01 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}

After allegations of Indian government involvement in the 2023 assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar were made public, Arya said to CBC News that Hindu Canadians were "fearful" of Sikh separatist supporters. When the Toronto Star inquired about his comments, he refused to speak to them by stating that he only does "live interviews" to avoid being misquoted.{{Cite web |last=Chief |first=Tonda MacCharles Ottawa Bureau |date=2023-10-05 |title=Cocaine, romance and murder: Justin Trudeau and his government targeted by disinformation campaign in wake of India allegation |url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/cocaine-romance-and-murder-justin-trudeau-and-his-government-targeted-by-disinformation-campaign-in-wake/article_d8f3b625-7a36-5750-a47f-0057d35c5643.html |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=Toronto Star |language=en}} In summer 2024, Arya travelled to India and met prime minister Narendra Modi. Global Affairs Canada released a statement saying that Arya "travelled to India on his own initiative and was not representing the Government of Canada."

Arya declared his candidacy for the 2025 Liberal Party of Canada leadership election upon the resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.{{cite web |date=January 4, 2025 |last=Rana |first=Abbas |title=If Trudeau announces he's stepping down, expect another cabinet shuffle, say Liberal sources |url=https://www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/01/04/after-trudeaus-anticipated-resignation-another-cabinet-shuffle-is-expected-say-liberal-sources/446640/ |accessdate=January 5, 2025 |website=The Hill Times}}{{cite web |title=Who might replace Trudeau as Liberal Party leader? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3904r98lnlo |website=www.bbc.com|date=March 9, 2025 }} Arya cannot speak French, but does not believe his lack of French matters to French-speaking Canadians.{{cite news |last1=Major |first1=Darren |date=January 9, 2025 |title=Liberal MP vying to be next prime minister dismisses importance of French language |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberals-leadership-race-meeting-rules-1.7426292 |access-date=10 January 2025 |work=CBC News |agency=}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNFBNTW3u4g&ab_channel=CBCNews |title=MP Chandra Arya says he's running to replace Trudeau and become PM {{!}} Power & Politics |date=2025-01-09 |last=CBC News |access-date=2025-01-10 |via=YouTube}} On January 26, 2025, after the party's review committee deemed Arya "manifestly unfit" to lead the party, his candidacy was ruled ineligible by the Liberal Party of Canada, {{Cite news |last=Charron |first=Jeremie |date=January 26, 2025 |title=Liberal leadership contender Chandra Arya says party told him he won't be able to run |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/article/liberal-leadership-hopeful-arya-says-party-did-not-approve-candidacy/ |access-date=February 22, 2025 |work=CTV News}} and he was barred from running in the 2025 leadership election.{{Cite news |last=Lopez Steven |first=Benjamin |date=January 26, 2025 |title=Liberal leadership hopeful Chandra Arya says party informed him he can't enter the contest |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberal-leadership-hopeful-chandra-arya-says-party-informed-him-he-can-t-enter-the-contest-1.7442018 |access-date=January 26, 2025 |work=CBC News}}

On March 20, 2025, the Liberal Party revoked his nomination to run under the party banner in the 2025 federal election.{{Cite news |date=March 20, 2025 |title=Liberals revoke Arya's nomination, after removing him from leadership race |url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2025/03/20/liberals-revoke-aryas-nomination-after-removing-him-from-leadership-race/ |access-date=March 20, 2025 |work=CityNews |agency=The Canadian Press}} Two days later, Prime Minister Mark Carney was announced as the new Liberal candidate for Nepean.{{cite news |title=Mark Carney to run for seat in Ottawa's Nepean riding |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/mark-carney-to-run-for-seat-in-ottawa-s-nepean-riding-1.7490982 |access-date=2025-03-22 |work=CBC News |date=2025-03-22}}

Arya supports abolition of the monarchy, seeks to lead a "small, more efficient government", and opposes diversity, equity, and inclusion quotas.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-09 |title= Liberal MP vying to be next prime minister dismisses importance of French language |url= https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberals-leadership-race-meeting-rules-1.7426292 |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=CBC News |language=en}} He proposes taxing expatriate citizens, would remove carbon pricing, and supports recognizing Palestine as a state. Arya would criminalize displays of support for terrorists and “extremism”, seeks to position Canada as an "energy superpower", and argues that Trudeau's immigration policies have caused Canada to rely on "cheap, foreign labour". {{Cite web |date=2025-01-10|title= And then there were two |url= https://www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/01/10/and-then-there-were-two/447194/ |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=The Hill Times |language=en-CA}}

In 2016, political journalist Kady O'Malley reported that Arya faced an ethics inquiry after awarding 26 graduating elementary, middle school, and high school students either an Amazon Kindle e-reader or $500 in cash for showing "perseverance in the face of adversity".{{Cite web |title=Kady O'Malley: Ontario Liberal MP Chandra Arya faces ethics inquiry for giving students cash and Kindles |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/ethics-watchdog-looking-into-liberal-mp-chandra-aryas-student-giveaway-of-cash-kindles |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=nationalpost |language=en-CA}} Arya defended himself against accusations that he violated the House of Commons conflict of interest code by stating that the Nepean Liberal Riding Association paid for the award.{{Cite web |title=@Kady: Liberal riding association paid for Kindle, cash student giveaway, MP says |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/politics/kady-liberal-riding-association-paid-for-kindle-cash-student-giveaway-mp-says |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=theprovince |language=en-CA}}

In 2021, Arya apologized after a staffer emailed private information of nine hundred constituents to Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) staffers. The CPC told their staffers to delete the email and Arya didn't face any sanctions due to Canadian privacy laws.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-18 |title=Liberal MP apologizes to voters after his office emails their information to Conservatives |url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2021/02/18/liberal-mp-apologizes-to-voters-after-his-office-emails-their-information-to-conservatives.html |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=thestar.com |language=en}}

In November 2022, Arya's private member's bill, which proclaimed that November was Hindu Heritage Month, passed unanimously.{{Cite web |last=Quint |first=The |date=2022-11-05 |title='Historic Beginning': Canada Marks November as National Hindu Heritage Month |url=https://www.thequint.com/us-nri-news/canada-hindu-heritage-month-chandra-arya-anita-anand-indian-diaspora |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=TheQuint |language=en}} When Arya raised a flag on Parliament Hill to celebrate the event, academics from the Université du Québec à Montréal and groups from the Hindus for Human Rights sent letters to Trudeau arguing that the flag represented Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization. Arya told CBC News that the flag "represented the Hindu faith" and "not support for any political organization".{{Cite web |last=Xing |first=Lisa |date=March 1, 2023 |title=Movement out of India that 'disseminates hate' victimizes religious minority groups, report says |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/rss-hindutva-india-report-1.6764114 |access-date=March 13, 2023 |website=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation}} In September 2024, Canadian news website The Breach accused Arya of advocating for causes close to the Hindu far right.{{Cite web |last=Breach |first=The |date=2024-09-19 |title=Hindu far right pressured a Canadian university into cancelling a critical lecture ⋆ The Breach |url=https://breachmedia.ca/hindu-far-right-pressured-a-canadian-university-into-cancelling-a-critical-lecture/ |access-date=2024-09-21 |website=The Breach |language=en-CA}}

In February 2023, Global News reported that from July 2020 to September 30, 2022, Arya outpaced his house colleagues in "protocol" gifts by purchasing 1,025 plaques for a total worth of $21,931 by using taxpayer funds. Global noted that contracted to a single company SINIX Media Group, who received fifty-three contracts for an amount of $53,681.50 from Arya’s constituency office over the same period. He told the outlet that the plaques were for his constituents but ignored any questions about a working relationship with the firm's chief executive officer.{{Cite web |title=Liberal MP tops all others with $21.9K spending on 'protocol gifts.' Here's what he spent it on - National {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9468142/liberal-mp-spending-protocol-gifts/ |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}

In March 2024, Arya sent an email trying to convince his fellow members of parliament to oppose fellow Liberal caucus member Sukh Dhaliwal's motion-M112, "Political Interference, Violence, or Intimidation on Canadian Soil," stating that it would damage relations with India. Dhaliwal responded to The Hill Times that the motion was meant to protect every Canadian, regardless of background, from all forms of foreign interference.{{Cite web |title=B.C. Liberal MP Dhaliwal's House motion could set a 'dangerous precedent' and cause 'irreparable damage to Canada-India relations,' says fellow Liberal Arya |url=https://www.hilltimes.com/story/2024/04/01/b-c-liberal-mp-dhaliwals-house-motion-will-set-a-dangerous-precedent-and-cause-irreparable-damage-to-canada-india-relations-says-fellow-liberal-arya/416527/ |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=The Hill Times |language=en-CA}} While a few parliamentarians abstained from the vote, the motion passed unanimously.{{Cite news |date=2024-05-10 |title=Nijjar row: Canadian parl passes motion on political interference |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/canadian-parliament-passes-motion-on-political-interference-in-nijjar-case/articleshow/109993053.cms |access-date=2024-06-08 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}

In 2022, when filmmaker Leena Manimekalai faced backlash online for a poster of her movie Kaali, which depicted the Hindu goddess Kali smoking and holding a rainbow flag, he condemned the poster on Twitter and linked it to vandalism of Hindu temples.{{Cite web |last=ICI.Radio-Canada.ca |first=Zone Arts- |title=Toronto filmmaker receives backlash, death threats over Hindu goddess poster |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/rci/en/news/1898467/toronto-filmmaker-receives-backlash-death-threats-over-hindu-goddess-poster |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=Radio-Canada.ca |date=July 15, 2022 |language=fr-ca}} Manimekalai argued that Arya used his position to legitimize threats against her,{{Cite web |title=Is Canada the Most Unsafe Country for Indians and Hindus? |url=https://thewire.in/world/is-canada-the-most-unsafe-country-for-indians-and-hindus/?mid_related_new |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=The Wire |language=en}} while over a hundred academics, activists, and community organization members sent a letter criticizing Arya's remarks to prime minister Trudeau.{{Cite web |last=Xing |first=Lisa |date=November 3, 2022 |title=Director got death threats over film poster featuring Hindu goddess. Now she's getting a protest screening |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/kaali-film-leena-manimekalai-screening-1.6638601 |access-date=February 20, 2023 |website=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation}}

In March 2025, the Liberal Party of Canada revoked Chandra Arya's nomination to run as their candidate in the Nepean riding for the upcoming federal election, following his earlier disqualification from the party's leadership race in January.

These actions were reportedly linked to concerns over foreign interference, particularly related to Arya's unauthorized trip to India in August 2024, during which he met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid heightened tensions between Canada and India. According to The Globe and Mail, party officials were concerned about "troubling inconsistencies" in Arya's responses to a confidential questionnaire. Arya defended his actions, asserting that he had never been required to seek government permission for such engagements. Subsequently, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his candidacy for the Nepean seat. {{Cite news |last=Fife |first=Robert |date=26 March 2025 |title=Ousted Liberal MP Chandra Arya barred from running under party's banner over alleged ties to India |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-liberal-mp-chandra-arya-ousted-alleged-foreign-interference-india/ |work=The Globe & Mail}}{{Cite news |date=26 March 2025 |title=Barred MP Arya ousted from Liberal leadership race over India visit, sources say. Live election updates here. |url=https://www.cp24.com/federal-election-2025/2025/03/26/barred-mp-arya-ousted-from-liberal-leadership-race-over-india-visit-sources-say-live-election-updates-here/ |work=CP24}}

{{2021 Canadian federal election/Nepean}}

{{2019 Canadian federal election/Nepean}}

{{Canadian election result/top|CA|2015|percent=yes|change=yes|expenditures=yes|}}

{{CANelec|CA|Liberal|Chandra Arya|34,017|52.43|+25.32|–}}

{{CANelec|CA|Conservative|Andy Wang|23,442|36.16|-14.86|–}}

{{CANelec|CA|NDP|Sean Devine|5,324|8.16|-9.67|–}}

{{CANelec|CA|Green|Jean-Luc Roger Cooke|1,518|2.34|-1.69|–}}

{{CANelec|CA|Independent|Jesus Cosico|416|0.64|–|–}}

{{CANelec|CA|Independent|Hubert Mamba|69|0.11|–|–}}

{{CANelec|CA|Independent|Harry Splett|66|0.1|–|–}}

{{CANelec|CA|Marxist-Leninist|Tony Seed|41|0.06|–|–}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes/Expense limit|64,888|100.0  | |$217,170.11}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Total rejected ballots|–|–|–}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Turnout|65,150|78.5%|–}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Eligible voters|82,976}}

{{CANelec/notgain|CA|Liberal|Conservative|+20.9}}

{{CANelec/source|Source: Elections Canada{{Cite web|url=https://www.elections.ca/Scripts/vis/FindED?L=e&QID=-1&PAGEID=20|title=Voter Information Service – Find your electoral district|first=Elections|last=Canada|website=elections.ca|access-date=May 17, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.elections.ca/error.aspx?aspxerrorpath=/content2.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815061116/http://www.elections.ca/content2.aspx?section=can&dir=cand%2Fcanlim&document=index&lang=e|url-status=dead|title=Error page|first=Elections|last=Canada|archive-date=August 15, 2015|publisher=Elections Canada|access-date=May 17, 2020}}}}

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Category:Living people

Category:1963 births

Category:Liberal Party of Canada MPs

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Category:People of Kannada descent

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Category:People from Tumakuru district

Category:21st-century members of the House of Commons of Canada