14.34°C Vancouver

Mar 21, 2025 4:13 PM - The Canadian Press

Liberals revoke Arya's nomination, after removing him from leadership race

Share On
liberals-revoke-aryas-nomination-after-removing-him-from-leadership-race
Arya, who shared the letter on his Facebook page, says being an MP was the "responsibility of my life."(Photo: The Canadian Press)

Liberal MP Chandra Arya says his nomination to run for the party again in his Ottawa riding has been revoked.

The 62-year-old has represented the city's Nepean seat since 2015.

The decision to remove him comes almost two months after the party also told Arya it would not accept him as a candidate for the leadership.

National campaign director Andrew Bevan informed Arya in a letter today, just days before an expected election call.

Arya had already been nominated, but the letter says new information obtained by the party's "green light committee" led the campaign co-chair to recommend that his "status as a candidate" be revoked.

Bevan does not include any details about the new information.

Arya, who shared the letter on his Facebook page, says being an MP was the "responsibility of my life."

"While this news is deeply disappointing, it does not diminish the profound honour and privilege it has been to serve the people of Nepean and all Canadians as their Member of Parliament since 2015," he wrote.

The party also refused to provide any information when it rejected Arya's candidacy for the leadership race in January.

The decision opens an Ottawa seat as an option for Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has thus far not declared which riding he intends to run in during the election.

Various Liberals have suggested Carney could run in Edmonton, where he grew up; in Toronto, where the Liberals tend to do well; or in Ottawa, where he now lives.

Carney is widely expected to visit Rideau Hall to launch the election on Sunday, for a vote on either April 28 or May 5.

Latest news

police-renew-appeal-to-locate-missing-north-vancouver-woman-last-seen-july-7
BCJul 16, 2026

Police renew appeal to locate missing North Vancouver woman last seen July 7

North Vancouver RCMP are renewing their appeal for the public's help in locating 46-year-old Mihaela Ududec, who has been missing since July 7. According to a North Vancouver RCMP news release, investigators have confirmed through video evidence that Ududec was last seen at 3:03 p.m. on July 7 in the 100 block of West Keith Road. Police have released a CCTV image showing what she was wearing in the hope that someone may recognize her or provide information about her whereabouts. She was last seen wearing a purple T-shirt, blue jeans, black Nike shoes and a grey hat."Our Investigative Support S
federal-government-unveils-vancouver-port-strategy-focused-on-trade-growth-and-major-infrastructure
BCJul 16, 2026

Federal government unveils Vancouver port strategy focused on trade growth and major infrastructure

Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon on Friday announced the Port of Vancouver Gateway Strategy, a federal initiative aimed at expanding Canada's trade capacity through the Port of Vancouver and strengthening transportation infrastructure on the West Coast. According to the federal government, the strategy includes advancing the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 expansion project in Delta and referring Alberta's proposed West Coast oil pipeline project to the Major Projects Office for an expedited review under a single regulatory approval process. The government said the initiative is intended to
CanadaJul 16, 2026

Meta introduces new Instagram AI safety features for minors as Canada advances online safety legislation

Meta has announced new safety features for minors using its Instagram AI chatbot, introducing parental alerts for conversations involving self-harm or suicide. The update comes as the Canadian government moves forward with proposed online safety legislation aimed at strengthening protections for young users. According to Meta, the new features became available Thursday in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. If a minor discusses self-harm or suicide while interacting with Instagram AI, parents who have enabled the platform's Parental Supervision tools will receive an im
two-arrested-in-calgary-drug-trafficking-investigation-stolen-handgun-drugs-and-cash-seized
AlbertaJul 16, 2026

Two arrested in Calgary drug trafficking investigation; stolen handgun, drugs and cash seized

Calgary Police Service says two people have been arrested following a drug trafficking investigation that led to the seizure of a stolen handgun, ammunition, illegal drugs and cash. According to a Calgary Police Service news release, the investigation began in June after officers received information about an armed drug trafficking suspect. Investigators later executed a search warrant at a residence in the 500 block of McKinnon Drive N.E. in the Mayland Heights neighbourhood. Police say officers recovered a loaded 9 mm handgun that had been reported stolen from Strathmore, along with $7,819.6
BCJul 16, 2026

At least seven structures destroyed as Fraser Canyon wildfire intensifies

At least seven structures have been destroyed as a fast-moving wildfire burns through British Columbia's Fraser Canyon region, according to local officials. The Fraser Valley Regional District said the damage was caused by the Brunswick Wildfire Complex, which includes the Brunswick Creek and Ainslie Creek wildfires. Most of the destruction occurred near the Blue Lake Resort outside Boston Bar. Regional district spokesperson Samantha Piper said the destroyed structures include four residential buildings and seasonal cabins used to accommodate visitors, along with three commercial support struc

Related News