Anita Anand and Kamal Khera, both of Indian origin, have been assigned significant ministerial roles in the newly formed cabinet led by Prime Minister Mark Carney. The former central banker and leader of the Liberal Party took the oath of office on Friday, heading a 24-member cabinet that succeeds Justin Trudeau’s larger 37-member team.
Anand, 58, has been appointed as Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, while Khera, 36, will now serve as Minister of Health. Both ministers were retained from Trudeau’s cabinet but have been reassigned to new portfolios.
Anand conveyed her enthusiasm for her new responsibilities, remarking, “We know that negativity won’t pay the rent or the mortgage. Negativity won’t bring down the price of groceries. Negativity won’t win a trade war. We are united and strong and we will immediately get to work.”
Kamal Khera: A Young Leader in Canadian Politics
Khera, originally from Delhi, immigrated to Canada with her family while she was still in school. She later pursued a Bachelor of Science degree at York University in Toronto.
Elected to the Canadian Parliament in 2015 as the Member of Parliament for Brampton West, Khera became one of the youngest women to achieve this milestone. Over the years, she has served as Minister of Seniors and held several parliamentary secretary positions.
With a background in healthcare, Khera is also a registered nurse. During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, she volunteered at a long-term care facility, reinforcing her commitment to public service. Expressing her gratitude for her latest ministerial role, she shared on X, “As a nurse, my top priority is to always be there to support my patients, and that’s the same mentality I’ll bring every day to the role of Minister of Health. Extremely grateful for the confidence of PM @MarkJCarney.”
Anita Anand’s Political Journey
Anand was considered a strong contender to succeed Justin Trudeau as the leader of the Liberal Party. However, she initially announced her departure from politics, only to reverse her decision on March 1, citing Canada’s “crucial moment in history.”
Raised in Nova Scotia before moving to Ontario in 1985, Anand made her political debut in 2019 when she was elected as the Member of Parliament for Oakville. Over the years, she has taken on several high-profile roles, including President of the Treasury Board, Minister of National Defence, and Minister of Public Services and Procurement.
The official website of the Prime Minister of Canada outlines her distinguished legal and academic career, stating, “Anand has worked as a scholar, lawyer, and researcher. She has been a Professor of Law at the University of Toronto, where she held the J R Kimber Chair in Investor Protection and Corporate Governance.”
A Smaller Cabinet
Carney’s newly formed cabinet consists of 13 men and 11 women, making it a more compact team compared to the 37-member cabinet under Trudeau. The Prime Minister underscored the significance of a streamlined approach to governance, declaring, “Canada, meet your new cabinet. We’ve built a smaller, focused, and experienced team that is made to meet this moment.”
As Carney’s government begins its tenure, the presence of Indo-Canadian leaders in pivotal roles continues to underscore Canada’s commitment to diversity and inclusive representation in politics.