Nepean MP Chandra Arya says he's been informed by the Liberal Party of Canada he's not permitted to run in the leadership contest to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Arya thanked the hundreds of volunteers across Canada who worked “tirelessly” to “mobilise support” for his leadership campaign

The race to replace Justin Trudeau as leader of Canada’s ruling Liberal Party – and as the country’s prime minister – is well under way, with seven candidates throwing their names into contention. The leadership hopefuls had until Thursday evening to meet a deadline to formally submit their candidacies before the party picks its new chief on March 9.

The former central banker for the UK and Canada pitched himself as a someone who can help a country navigate economic challenges.

The federal Liberals are running their first leadership race in more than a decade to replace the departing Justin Trudeau. Candidates had to declare by 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 23 with a $50,000 deposit towards a $350,