Cabinet Shuffle Includes New Role for Anita Anand
Liberal Party leader Mark Carney was returned to office as Prime Minister after winning the Canadian general election. He recently reorganized the cabinet. Anita Anand, an Indian origin MP, was allocated the Foreign Affairs portfolio in the reshuffle.
This position was previously held by Melanie Joly. Joly is today moved to the Ministry of Industry. Anand had previously worked as Minister of National Defence. She had taken the oath of office, holding the Bhagavad Gita.
Background and Early Life of Anita Anand
Anita Anand is 58 years old. She is Tamil-Punjabi. She was born in Kentville, Nova Scotia. She is the daughter of Saroj Daulatram, who was born in Punjab and is an anesthesiologist, and Sundaram Vivek, who was born in Tamil Nadu and is a general surgeon. Anand is the eldest of three. She has two sisters, Geeta and Sonia.
Education and Legal Career
Anand holds a political science degree. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oxford University. She also obtained a Master's in Law from Dalhousie University. She entered the profession of a corporate lawyer. After spending decades, she became a professor of law, visiting lecturer, and served on university boards.
Entry Into Politics and Early Achievements
She was elected as an MP in 2019 when she took a seat in the House of Commons as a Liberal Party member from Oakville. Although she was a new MP, she was made a member of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet. She was appointed as the Minister of Public Services and Procurement. She was the first Hindu to be appointed to this post in Canada.
Work as Minister of Defence
She was the chief of the Ministry of National Defence from 2021 to 2023. During her tenure, she supported Ukraine with an economic package of assistance. She instilled reforms in dealing with sexual harassment within the military. She was rewarded for her effort through numerous awards. She was also an advocate for gender equality, diversity, and LGBTQ+ rights.
Recent Roles and Personal Life
After her stint at the Defence Ministry, she was at the Ministry of Transport and Internal Trade. Anita Anand is married to Canadian lawyer and businessman John Knowlton. They have four children.
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