Prime Minister Mark Carney introduced major changes to his Cabinet on Tuesday. One of the most notable moves was appointing Anita Anand as Canada’s new Foreign Minister. She replaces Mélanie Joly, who has now taken charge as Minister of Industry.
Anand took her oath with her hand on the Bhagavad Gita, becoming the first Hindu woman to lead Canada’s foreign affairs.
Carney’s Leadership and Goals
Carney became Prime Minister earlier this year, succeeding Justin Trudeau. He recently won a national election and is now focused on reshaping his government. While introducing fresh faces, he has kept several key leaders in their current roles to maintain stability.
Who Is Anita Anand?
Anita Anand, 57, has had a rapid rise in Canadian politics. She represents Oakville, Ontario, and joined Parliament in 2019. Since then, she has held four major Cabinet positions.
During the COVID-19 crisis, she led Canada’s vaccine and medical supply efforts as Minister of Public Services and Procurement. In 2021, she became Defence Minister. In that role, she worked to address sexual misconduct in the military and supported Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia.
Official records state, “Anand led Canada’s efforts to provide aid for Ukraine amid the war with Russia and took initiatives to fight sexual misconduct and bring about cultural change in the Canadian Armed Forces.”
She briefly stepped away in 2023 to head the Treasury Board, then returned in 2024 as Minister of Transport and Internal Trade.
Anand was born in rural Nova Scotia and moved to Ontario in 1985. Her father’s family comes from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and her mother is from a small town in Punjab. Both her parents were doctors. Before entering politics, Anand was a legal academic and taught at institutions like Yale, focusing on corporate governance and financial regulation.
Key Cabinet Changes Under Carney
Carney’s new Cabinet includes 28 ministers and ten secretaries of state. Some roles remained unchanged. François-Philippe Champagne stays on as Finance Minister. Dominic LeBlanc will continue handling Canada’s relations with the United States.
However, several portfolios saw reshuffling. Gary Anandasangaree has moved from Justice to Public Safety. David McGuinty now leads the Defence Ministry.
Carney’s Cabinet reflects a blend of experience and new direction. As he begins his term with a re-elected Liberal government, he appears focused on balancing change with continuity.
