Chandra Arya, the Member of Parliament from Nepean, officially announced his candidacy to become Canada’s next Prime Minister on Thursday (local time). He aims to replace outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and will be competing for both the position of Prime Minister and the leadership of the Liberal Party against fellow Indian-origin candidate Anita Anand, the Canadian transportation minister.
Arya, in a post on X, shared his vision for Canada, emphasizing his goal to “rebuild Canada” by creating a “small, efficient” government. He also took time to express his gratitude to Trudeau following the Prime Minister’s resignation announcement made earlier this week outside Rideau Cottage. Arya acknowledged the significant accomplishments during Trudeau’s tenure, including reforms to NAFTA and pensions.
“Let us give credit where it’s due—under his leadership, Canada saw significant successes: renegotiating NAFTA, reforming the Canada Pension Plan, introducing the Canada Child Benefit, and delivering $10-a-day daycare. He also guided us through a global pandemic and championed gender parity in leadership roles,” Arya said. “He’s not perfect—no leader is. But Justin Trudeau is undeniably a disciplined, patient leader who works hard and reads extensively.”
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Anita Anand has emerged as a strong contender in the Liberal leadership race. Known for her extensive experience, she is considered a candidate capable of bridging divisions within the party. With her background, she is expected to progress through voting rounds and could ultimately secure victory.
Anand’s political career began in 2019 when she was appointed Minister of Public Services and Procurement, where she played a pivotal role in securing medical equipment and vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic’s global shortage. Following the 2021 election, she became the Defence Minister, focusing on crucial issues such as sexual harassment and discrimination within the Canadian Armed Forces. Anand also led Canada’s support for Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion, providing both material assistance and training.
In a cabinet reshuffle, Anand was appointed President of the Treasury Board, overseeing broad government operations. Last year, she was appointed Transport Minister, with an additional responsibility for internal trade.
A respected figure in Canadian politics, Anand, 57, was born to a Tamil Nadu-born father and a Punjabi-born mother, both doctors who worked in Nova Scotia. She is a trained lawyer, having studied at Oxford and Dalhousie University in Canada.
