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Chandra Arya

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Chandra Arya
MP
Member of Parliament
for Nepean
Incumbent
Assumed office
October 19, 2015
Preceded byDistrict created
Personal details
Born
Chandrakanth Arya

(1963-07-28) 28 July 1963 (age 61)
Dwaralu, Karnataka, India
CitizenshipCanada
Political partyLiberal
Residence(s)Barrhaven,[1] Ottawa, Ontario
Alma materKarnatak University

Chandrakanth "Chandra" Arya MP (born 1963) is a Canadian Liberal politician, who represents the riding of Nepean in the House of Commons of Canada since the 2015 federal election.

Biography

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Arya is native of Dwarlu village, Sira Taluk, Tumkur district, Karnataka state. He did his M.B.A from Kousali Institute of Management Studies, Dharwad which is affiliated with Karnataka University, Dharwad.[2] In 2006, Arya immigrated to Canada. He was the chairman of the Indo-Canada Ottawa Business Chamber prior to entering politics.[3]

Political career

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Arya was elected to represent the riding of Nepean in the House of Commons of Canada in the 2015 federal election and subsequently re-elected in the 2019 federal election.[4][5][6][7] He currently serves as a member of the Standing Committee on International Trade.[8]

He was re-elected in the 2021 federal election despite criticism from the members of the Ottawa Punjabi Association, who put up anti-Arya signs during the campaign.[9] Sean Devine, the NDP candidate was critical about his performance representing the riding, targeted the riding Tamil, Punjabi and Sikh communities that felt alienated by Arya.[3]

In 2022, Arya became the first member of parliament to speak in Kannada, his mother tongue, in the House of Commons of Canada.[2] Arya blamed “Khalistani extremists” for vandalizing Hindu temples in Toronto.[10]

On April 14, 2023, Arya sponsored petition e-4395, calling on the Liberal government to reconsider setting up a "foreign influence transparency registry.”[11] Arya told Global News that he agrees with the concerns expressed by the petitioners.[12] Trudeau, who was asked about the petition, responded by saying he supported the registry but argued to be cautious with the implementation.[13]

After the allegations surrounding the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar were revealed, Arya claimed CBC News that Hindu Canadians were "fearful" of Sikh separatist supporters. When the Toronto Star Arya inquired about his comments, he refused to speak to them by stating that he does "live interviews" to avoid being misquoted and called himself a coward to the newspaper.[14]

Controversies

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Ethics inquiry

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In 2016, political journalist Kady O'Malley reported that Arya faced an ethics inquiry after awarding 26 graduating elementary, middle school students high school student either an Amazon Kindle e-reader or $500 in cash for showing "perseverance in the face of adversity".[15] 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.[16]

Email Scandal

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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.[17]

RSS Flag Controversy

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In November 2022, Arya's private member bill, which proclaimed that November is Hindu Heritage Month passed unanimously.[18] 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 due to their belief that it appeared that flag represented the Hindu nationalist organization, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Arya claimied to CBC News that the flag "represented the Hindu faith" and "not support for any political organization".[19]

Taxpayer Gift Spending

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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.[20]

Liberal Motion Opposition

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In March 2024, Arya sent an email trying to convince his fellow member of parliaments to oppose fellow Liberal caucus member Sukh Dhaliwal's motion-M112,"Political Interference, Violence, or Intimidation on Canadian Soil," claiming that it would damage Canada-India relationship. Dhaliwal responded to The Hill Times that the motion was meant to protect every Canadians regardless of backgrounds, from all forms of foreign interference.[21] While a few parliamentarians abstained from the vote, the motion passed unanimously.[22]

Controversy Surrounding Kaali Poster

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When filmmaker Leena Manimekalai faced backlash online for a poster of her movie Kaali, which depicted the Hindu goddess, Kali smoking and holding an LGBT flag, he condemned the poster on Twitter and linked it to vandalisms of Hindu temples.[23] Manimekalai argued that Arya used his position to legitimize threats against her,[24] while over a hundred academics, activists, and community organization members sent a letter to criticizing Arya's remarks to Canada's prime minister, Justin Trudeau.[25]

Electoral record

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2021 Canadian federal election: Nepean
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Chandra Arya 29,620 45.1 -0.8 $109,271.27
Conservative Matt Triemstra 22,184 33.7 +0.2 $75,325.90
New Democratic Sean Devine 10,786 16.4 +3.3 $12,498.65
People's Jay Nera 1,840 2.8 +1.8 $0.00
Green Gordon Kubanek 1,318 2.0 -4.3 $786.11
Total valid votes/Expense limit 65,748 – – $121,196.92
Total rejected ballots 419
Turnout 66,167 70.85
Eligible voters 93,391
Source: Elections Canada[26]
2019 Canadian federal election: Nepean
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Chandra Arya 31,933 45.9 -6.52 $107,465.36
Conservative Brian St. Louis 23,320 33.5 -2.63 $110,373.63
New Democratic Zaff Ansari 9,104 13.1 +4.90 $3,771.41
Green Jean-Luc Cooke 4,379 6.3 +3.97 $7,732.54
People's Azim Hooda 687 1.0 none listed
Communist Dustan Wang 160 0.2 none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 69,583 100.0
Total rejected ballots 407
Turnout 69,990 75.2
Eligible voters 93,119
Liberal hold Swing -1.95
Source: Elections Canada[27][28]
2015 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Chandra Arya 34,017 52.43 +25.32 –
Conservative Andy Wang 23,442 36.16 -14.86 –
New Democratic Sean Devine 5,324 8.16 -9.67 –
Green Jean-Luc Roger Cooke 1,518 2.34 -1.69 –
Independent Jesus Cosico 416 0.64 – –
Independent Hubert Mamba 69 0.11 – –
Independent Harry Splett 66 0.1 – –
Marxist–Leninist Tony Seed 41 0.06 – –
Total valid votes/Expense limit 64,888 100.0     $217,170.11
Total rejected ballots – – –
Turnout 65,150 78.5% –
Eligible voters 82,976
Liberal notional gain from Conservative Swing +20.9
Source: Elections Canada[29][30]

References

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  1. ^ "Search For Contributions". Elections Canada. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
  2. ^ a b "Kannada in Canadian parliament: MP Chandra Arya creates history". newindianexpress. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Liberal candidate Chandra Arya secures third straight win in Nepean riding". ottawacitizen. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
  4. ^ "Liberal Chandra Arya returns in Nepean". CBC News. October 21, 2019. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  5. ^ "Nepean Race A Nail-biter to the Finish". Ottawa Sun.
  6. ^ "19 Indian-Canadians elected to Canadian parliament". The Economic Times. 20 October 2015. Archived from the original on 11 November 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  7. ^ "Nepean: How much experience does an MP need?". Ottawa Sun. Sep 23, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  8. ^ "Standing Committee on International Trade". House of Commons. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  9. ^ Rana, Uday (2021-09-18). "Punjabi voters demand candidates take a stand on Indian farmers' movement". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
  10. ^ "Sikh independence referendum in Canada unfolds amid angry clashes, India's condemnation". nationalpost. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  11. ^ "Ottawa Liberal MP Arya sponsors e-petition calling on government to reconsider proposed foreign influence transparency registry". The Hill Times. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  12. ^ "Why a Liberal MP is sponsoring a petition to reconsider foreign agent registry - National | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  13. ^ "Trudeau says feds must be 'very careful' on foreign agents registry | Watch News Videos Online". Global News. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  14. ^ Chief, Tonda MacCharles Ottawa Bureau (2023-10-05). "Cocaine, romance and murder: Justin Trudeau and his government targeted by disinformation campaign in wake of India allegation". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
  15. ^ "Kady O'Malley: Ontario Liberal MP Chandra Arya faces ethics inquiry for giving students cash and Kindles". nationalpost. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
  16. ^ "@Kady: Liberal riding association paid for Kindle, cash student giveaway, MP says". theprovince. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  17. ^ "Liberal MP apologizes to voters after his office emails their information to Conservatives". thestar.com. 2021-02-18. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  18. ^ Quint, The (2022-11-05). "'Historic Beginning': Canada Marks November as National Hindu Heritage Month". TheQuint. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  19. ^ Xing, Lisa (March 1, 2023). "Movement out of India that 'disseminates hate' victimizes religious minority groups, report says". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  20. ^ "Liberal MP tops all others with $21.9K spending on 'protocol gifts.' Here's what he spent it on - National | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  21. ^ "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". The Hill Times. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
  22. ^ "Nijjar row: Canadian parl passes motion on political interference". The Times of India. 2024-05-10. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  23. ^ ICI.Radio-Canada.ca, Zone Arts-. "Toronto filmmaker receives backlash, death threats over Hindu goddess poster". Radio-Canada.ca (in Canadian French). Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  24. ^ "Is Canada the Most Unsafe Country for Indians and Hindus?". The Wire. Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  25. ^ Xing, Lisa (November 3, 2022). "Director got death threats over film poster featuring Hindu goddess. Now she's getting a protest screening". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  26. ^ "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  27. ^ "List of confirmed candidates". Elections Canada. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  28. ^ "Election Night Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  29. ^ Canada, Elections. "Voter Information Service – Find your electoral district". elections.ca. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  30. ^ Canada, Elections. "Error page". Elections Canada. Archived from the original on August 15, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2020.

Election Night Results – Electoral Districts

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