Ottawa: Indian-origin Anita Anand has been appointed Canada’s new Foreign Minister in a major Cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney this week. A former defense and transport minister, she replaced Mélanie Joly, who will now be in charge of the industry ministry.
Anand, the first Hindu woman to be appointed to the top post, took her oath of office with her hand placed on the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu scripture. After being sworn in to her new role, she took to X and wrote: “I am honored to be named Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs. I look forward to working with Prime Minister Mark Carney and our team to build a safer, fairer world and deliver for Canadians.”
Anand, 57, entered into politics in 2019. She is a Member of Parliament for Oakville, Ontario. She had served as Canada's defense minister, transport minister, and minister of innovation, science and industry so far. She led Canada’s Public Services and Procurement Ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic, managing the country’s acquisition of vaccines and personal protective equipment.
Anand was born in Kentville, Nova Scotia, to Indian immigrant doctor parents who moved to Canada from India in the early 1960s. Her mother is from Punjab, and her father is from Tamil Nadu.
Carney unveiled a 38-member cabinet, comprising 28 ministers and 10 Secretaries of State, on May 13. Following the unveiling of the new Cabinet, Carney outlined the government's top priorities -- creating new economic and security relationships with the United States, tackling the cost of living, and strengthening Canada's economy.
More than 10 people were dropped from the new cabinet. Carney reduced the number of ministers to 29 from 39 when he was appointed by the previous Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, but retained some key players in the same positions.
