Is Anita Anand set to succeed Trudeau as Canadian PM? Here’s her journey!

Anita Anand, Canada’s current Minister of Transport, is emerging as a top candidate to succeed Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister. Trudeau’s recent resignation announcement has opened the door for a new leader to be elected by March 24. While other politicians such as Chrystia Freeland, Dominic LeBlanc, and Mark Carney are also considered for the role, Anand stands out as a strong contender.

Anand is a senior member of the Liberal Party of Canada, having served as a Member of Parliament (MP) since 2019. Her political journey has seen her take on important portfolios, including Minister of Public Services and Procurement, Minister of National Defence, and President of the Treasury Board. Since 2024, she has been the Minister of Transport and Internal Trade.

Born on May 20, 1967, in Kentville, Nova Scotia, Anand comes from humble beginnings. Her parents, Saroj D Ram and SV Anand, moved from India to Canada in the early 1960s. Growing up, Anand’s values were shaped by her family’s modest lifestyle.

She moved to Ontario in 1985, where she pursued political science before earning a Jurisprudence degree from Oxford University. Anand later earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s in law from Dalhousie University and the University of Toronto, respectively.

Before entering politics, Anand had a distinguished career in academia and law. She taught at prestigious institutions, including Yale Law School and the University of Toronto, where she held the JR Kimber Chair in investor protection and corporate governance. Anand later served as Associate Dean at the University of Toronto and as the Director of Policy and Research at the Rotman School of Management’s Capital Markets Institute.

Anita Anand married John Knowlton, a Canadian lawyer, in 1995. The couple has four children and has lived in Oakville for over two decades. Anand has represented Oakville in the House of Commons since 2019, making significant contributions to her community and the country.

Anand’s political career began in 2019, when she became MP for Oakville. As Minister of Public Services, she played a crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic, securing vital medical supplies, including vaccines and PPE. Her leadership during this challenging time earned her nationwide respect.

In 2021, she was appointed Minister of National Defence, where she initiated key reforms to address sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces. Anand also managed Canada’s military support for Ukraine. Later, as President of the Treasury Board, she worked to increase financial transparency in the country.

As Minister of Transport, Anand has focused on improving Canada’s infrastructure, especially roads, highways, and rail transport. She has pushed for a greener, more sustainable transport sector, integrating climate change initiatives into her vision for Canada’s future. Safety reforms in transportation have also been a priority under her leadership.

Anand is a strong advocate for inclusivity and gender equality. She has consistently supported LGBTQIA+ rights and promoted diversity in Canada’s political and social landscape. As a person of Indian descent, Anand represents Canada’s evolving multicultural identity and serves as a symbol of the country’s diversity.

If Anita Anand becomes Prime Minister, she would make history as the first woman of colour and the first Canadian of Indian origin to hold the office. Although Kim Campbell of the Progressive Conservative Party was Canada’s first female prime minister in 1993, Anand would be the first woman from the Liberal Party to step into this historic role.

Anita Anand’s qualifications, experience, and dedication position her as a leading candidate to replace Justin Trudeau and potentially become Canada’s next groundbreaking Prime Minister.