Liberal MP Chandra Arya has issued an emotional farewell to his constituents in Nepean, marking the end of his nearly decade-long parliamentary career with a call for bold economic reform and a warning about Canada’s growing inequality.
The Hindu Canadian MP, who has represented the Ottawa-area riding since 2015, posted a “final letter” to residents after being dropped as the Liberal candidate ahead of an anticipated federal election call.
“It has been a profound honour and privilege to serve the people of Nepean — and all Canadians,” Arya wrote, highlighting his dedication to public service and the principles he stood by, “even when it came at a personal or political cost.”
While expressing gratitude for his time in office, Arya also used the moment to sound the alarm on what he sees as urgent and growing economic challenges. He cited a lack of pension coverage for millions, falling real wages for the middle class, and rising wealth inequality as key threats to Canada’s future.
“More than 13 million working Canadians have no access to a workplace pension,” he warned. “Many risk retiring directly into poverty.”
Arya outlined a series of ambitious proposals, including:
• Mandating Canadian pension funds to invest 40% of their capital domestically in critical infrastructure and development;
• Using credit guidance to steer private investment into strategic sectors like manufacturing, housing, and technology;
• Introducing citizenship-based taxation to ensure all Canadians contribute fairly, regardless of where they live.
“These are not easy fixes,” Arya wrote, “but they are necessary if we want to secure economic security and fairness for future generations.”
His departure adds to a series of shake-ups within the Liberal ranks as the party prepares for a high-stakes national campaign. While Arya didn’t address the reasons for his removal, his statement struck a tone of legacy, conviction, and hope that his ideas will carry forward beyond his term.
“I urge you to advocate for these ideas with your next Member of Parliament,” he said.
Arya had earlier been barred from the Liberal leadership race, raising concerns about the process’s fairness. He was later also dropped as the party’s candidate for Nepean ahead of the federal election, ending his three-term tenure. The decision, communicated by campaign director Andrew Bevan, came just days before an expected election call. Arya’s removal opened the possibility of a candidacy for Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
