Indian-heritage individuals Anita Anand and Kamal Khera were appointed to Canada’s newly appointed cabinet of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Anand, 58 years old, was appointed the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry, whereas Khera, aged 36, assumed the role of Minister of Health. Both are among the minorities of MPs that have managed to hold their cabinet positions from ex-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet.
Kamal Khera
Kamal Khera, a native of Delhi, is among the youngest women ever to be elected into Canada’s Parliament. She became the MP for Brampton West for the first time in 2015. Having come to Canada during school days, Khera has a Bachelor of Science degree from York University, Toronto.
An active political campaigner, registered nurse, and community volunteer, Khera is determined to make a positive difference to lives. As per the official website of the Prime Minister, “Minister Khera is among the youngest women ever to have been elected to Parliament. A registered nurse, community volunteer, and political activist, she is committed to making the lives of those around her better.”
On a tweet on X, Khera posted, “As a nurse, my top priority is to always be there to support my patients and that’s the same mentality I’ll bring everyday to the role of Minister of Health. Extremely grateful for the confidence of PM @MarkJCarney Now, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work. ” And now let’s get to work.”
Before entering politics, Khera worked as an oncology registered nurse at Toronto’s St Joseph’s Health Centre and then worked as a nurse again during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brampton.
Anita Anand
Nova Scotia-native Anita Anand is a Canadian political leader who was seen far and wide as the next prime minister after Justin Trudeau. Relocating to Ontario in 1985, Anand set up as an academic, attorney, and researcher.
Anand occupied the J.R. Kimber Chair in Investor Protection and Corporate Governance and was a professor of law at the University of Toronto. Anand was elected as the MP for Oakville in 2019 and has also served as the President of the Treasury Board, Minister of National Defence, and Minister of Public Services and Procurement.
Anand reacted to her new position on X: “I am honoured to be sworn in as the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development in @MarkJCarney’s Government. 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’re united and strong and we will immediately get to work, to build the Canada and the Canadian economy of tomorrow.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney was sworn into office on Friday in a ceremony presided over by Governor General Mary Simon. His 13 males and 11 female cabinet members represent a balanced and diverse leadership slate.