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Anita Indira AnandPC MP (born May 20,[citation needed] 1967) is a Canadian lawyer, academic, and politician, who has served as theMinister of Innovation, Science and Industry since 2025. She has represented the riding ofOakville in theHouse of Commons since the2019 federal election, sitting as a member of theLiberal Party.
From 2019 to 2021, she wasminister of public services and procurement overseeing Canada's procurement of vaccines andpersonal protective equipment during theCOVID-19 pandemic. From 2021 to 2023, she was minister of national defence, playing a key role in Canada's efforts to provide military aid to Ukraine during the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. From 2024 to 2025, Anand served as theMinister of Transport.
She is the firstHindu woman to be elected as a member of Parliament and the first Hindu to become a cabinet minister in Canada.[2][3][4]
Anita Indira Anand was born inKentville,Nova Scotia. Her parents (both now deceased) were bothIndian physicians; her mother Saroj D. Ram was an anesthesiologist, and her father S.V. (Andy) Anand was a general surgeon. Her father was fromTamil Nadu and her mother was fromPunjab.[2] Anand has two sisters, her elder sister, Gita Anand, is an employment lawyer in Toronto, and her younger siblingSonia Anand, is a physician and researcher atMcMaster University.[citation needed]
Her parents were followers ofMahatma Gandhi and her father met Mahatma Gandhi when his father,V.A. Sundaram, was working within theIndian independence movement.[citation needed]
In the early 1960s, Anand's mother and father were living inNigeria when her father traveled to Nova Scotia to investigate the possibility of immigrating to Canada or the United States. Upon landing inHalifax, he rented a car, drove to theAnnapolis Valley and "found the right place for his family." They settled inKentville, a town of approximately 5,000 people, where Anand was born in 1967.[citation needed]
Anand relocated toOntario in 1985 to pursue her undergraduate degree at Queen's University in political studies. After winning the gold medal in Political Studies in 1989, she went to Wadham College, Oxford to read law. After completing her studies in Oxford, she returned to Nova Scotia, to obtain her Canadian law degree at Dalhousie University before articling in Toronto.
Anand holds four degrees: a Bachelor of Arts (honours) in political studies fromQueen's University; a Bachelor of Arts (honours) in jurisprudence fromWadham College,Oxford University; a bachelor of laws fromDalhousie University; and a master of laws from theUniversity of Toronto. She was called to theOntario Bar in 1994.[5]
Anand has held academic positions atYale,Queen's University andWestern University. Before her election, Anand was a law professor at theUniversity of Toronto.[6]
Before her political career, Anand was a professor at theUniversity of Toronto Faculty of Law specializing incorporate governance and the regulation ofcapital markets.[7] She was previously the J.R. Kimber Chair in Investor Protection and Corporate Governance at the Faculty.[7] As of October 2019, Anand is on leave from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law[7] for the duration of her time as an elected official.
Anand began her legal career as an associate atTorys from 1994 to 1997 (with leave to pursue her master's degree), after articling at Torys from 1992 to 1993. She then pursued her teaching career by serving as assistant professor (adjunct) from 1997 to 1999 at the Faculty of Law ofWestern University.[7] In 1999, she became assistant professor in the Faculty of Law at Queen's University, obtaining tenure and advancing to the rank of associate professor in 2003.[7] She received a U.S.-Canada Fulbright award in 2005[8] and attendedYale Law School as a visiting lecturer in law (fall 2005) while teaching comparative corporate governance. She was also visiting Olin scholar in law and economics at Yale Law School (2005-2006) and undertook research on the implications of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on Canadian public companies.[citation needed]
Anand left Queen's University for the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto in 2006 where she was a full professor. She served as associate dean from 2007 to 2009. From 2010 to 2019, Anand also served as the academic director of the Centre for the Legal Profession, as well as for its Program on Ethics in Law and Business. At the time of her election, she was a senior fellow and member of the Board of Governors of Massey College. She was also cross-appointed to the Rotman School of Management as the director of policy and research at the Capital Markets Research Institute, and to the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto.[7]
On September 17, 2019, it was announced that Anand would receive the Yvan Allaire Medal from theRoyal Society of Canada. The medal is bestowed annually for an outstanding contribution in governance of private and public organizations.[9][10] The Royal Society stated that Anand's research "significantly altered global thinking about best practices for boards of directors, including the importance of diversity on boards".[11]
In the lead up to the 2019 federal election, Anand decided to pursue the Liberal nomination for the riding of Oakville, Ontario, after the incumbentJohn Oliver announced that he would not run in the 2019 election.[12] On June 12, 2019, Anita Anand won the Liberal nomination for the riding of Oakville, Ontario by a majority of votes on the first ballot. She defeated formermember of Provincial ParliamentKevin Flynn for the nomination.[13] On October 21, 2019, Anand won the riding of Oakville with 30,265 votes.[14]
Anand was sworn in as the member of Parliament forOakville on November 22, 2019, to represent Oakville in the House of Commons in the43rd Canadian Parliament.
On November 20, 2019, Anand was sworn in as a member of the Privy Council and as the public services andprocurement minister atRideau Hall.[15]
At the beginning of theCOVID-19 pandemic in Canada, Anand and her department acted to buy personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies for Canada's health care system. In order to ensure reliable access to PPE in a hyper-competitive market, Anand and her department adopted an aggressive procurement strategy and engaged a large number of suppliers to diversify Canada's supply chains.[16][17] In April 2021, Anand told the House of Commons Health Committee thatPublic Services and Procurement Canada had procured over 2.5 billion articles of personal protective equipment, "with a substantial amount of that equipment being made right here, at home."[18]
Beginning in the summer of 2020, the Canadian government signed contracts with the producers of seven leading COVID-19 vaccine candidates,[19][20] and the producers of supplies needed to package and administer those vaccines.[21][22] Initially, Canada's target was to receive enough vaccines to fully immunize all eligible Canadians by September 30, 2021.[23][24] By the end of July 2021, Canada had received a cumulative total of more than 66.4 million vaccines.[25][26] By August 2021, Canada had attained the highest vaccination rate in the world.[24]
Anand also worked to finalize Canada's agreements with vaccine producers regarding the procurement and delivery of COVID-19 vaccine doses for children. AfterHealth Canada approved thePfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use in pediatric populations under the age of 12 years on November 19, 2021, the first pediatric doses of the vaccine arrived in Canada two days later, on November 21, 2021.[27]
Anand was re-elected to Parliament following the2021 Canadian federal election. She defeated Conservative Kerry Colborne with 46 per cent of the vote.[28]
On October 26, 2021, Anand was sworn in asMinister of National Defence atRideau Hall. She is only the second woman in Canadian history to take on the role of national defence minister, after former prime ministerKim Campbell in the 1990s.[29] Anand stated that her top priority was tackling sexual misconduct and building a durable culture change in theCanadian Armed Forces.[30]
On November 4, 2021, Anand announced that she accepted in full an interim recommendation from formerSupreme Court of Canada JusticeLouise Arbour that the investigation and prosecution of military sexual misconduct cases be referred to Canada's civilian justice system.[31]
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On December 13, 2021, Anand offered an official apology on behalf of the Government of Canada to all those affected by sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces andDepartment of National Defence. She was joined by General Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff, who apologized on behalf of the military, andDeputy MinisterJody Thomas, who apologized on behalf of the department.[32]
On May 30, 2022, Anand was joined byLouise Arbour, General Wayne Eyre, and Deputy Minister Bill Matthews to release the final report of the Independent External Comprehensive Review into Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment in the Canadian Armed Forces and Department of National Defence.[33][34]
On July 9, 2022, inTruro, Anand and Prime Minister Trudeau offered the Government of Canada's official apology to the members and descendants ofNo. 2 Construction Battalion, an all-Black battalion that faced anti-Black racism and discrimination during its service to Canada inWorld War I.[35]
On December 16, 2022, Anand presented a report to Parliament detailing her official response to all 48 of Louise Arbour's 48 recommendations to respond to sexual misconduct and harassment in Canada's military and defence department, pursuant to Arbour's ask that Anand inform Parliament by the end of 2022 of any recommendations that the government would reject. Anand rejected none of the recommendations and stressed the need to change Canadian military culture to attract recruits.[36]
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In late January 2022, Anand and Prime Minister Trudeau announced that Canada would extend its training mission in Ukraine,Operation Unifier, by three years, and raise the ceiling of deployed personnel from 200 to 400.[37] In announcing the extension, Anand stated, "The biggest contribution that Canada can make to Ukraine right now is people. We have trained, our soldiers have trained over 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers. We should not underestimate the importance of this training mission."[37]
A few days later, Anand visitedKyiv as a sign of Canadian solidarity, all while Russia significantly increased its military buildup around Ukraine. Anand stated that "Russia has a choice, and that choice is to negotiate with a view to de-escalation" or it will "face severe sanctions and consequences."[38] While in Ukraine, Anand met with Ukraine's Defence MinisterOleksii Reznikov to discuss military aid to Ukraine, including in the area of cybersecurity.[39] Shortly after Anand's visit, in late February the Canadian government did authorize and deliver a $7.8 million package of lethal weapons to Ukraine.[40]
Just days before theRussian invasion of Ukraine, Anand announced a significant expansion of Canada's contribution toNATO operations in Europe. Under the umbrella ofOperation Reassurance she announced the deployment of approximately 120 members of an artillery battery to join the Canadian-ledNATO Enhanced Forward Presence battle group inLatvia, and the deployment of an additionalHalifax-class frigate to NATO maritime forces.[41]
On March 19,HMCS Halifax (FFH 330) left port and joined NATO maritime forces in the Baltic region.[42] At the departure ceremony, Anand stated, "At this time it is so important for us all to be united, to stand together, to stand against unwarranted and illegal Russian aggression, and to stand up for peace, deterrence and the defensive posture on which NATO is built."[42]
Following Russia's invasion, Anand announced several packages of additional military aid to Ukraine throughout February and March 2022, including Carl Gustaf anti-armour weapons, rockets, helmets, gas masks, and night-vision goggles.[43] Further types of military aid announced by Anand included fragmentation vests and meal packs,[44] 4,500 M72 rocket launchers and up to 7,500 hand grenades, and funding to enable Ukraine to purchase modern satellite imagery.[45] Anand also announced the procurement and donation to Ukraine of Canadian-made, specialized cameras forBayraktar TB-2 drones.[46]
On March 8, during a trip to Latvia, Anand and Prime Minister Trudeau announced the multi-year renewal of Operation Reassurance.[47]
On April 14, atCanadian Forces Base (CFB) Trenton, Anand announced that the Canadian Armed Forces would deploy between 100 and 150 troops to Poland, to assist with Polish efforts to manage the flow of, and care for, Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion.[48] In late April 2022, Anand announced further military aid for Ukraine. On April 22, 2022, Anand confirmed that Canada had deliveredM777 howitzers to Ukrainian Forces.[49] At a conference of the Ukraine Defense Consultative Group atRamstein Air Base, Canada announced that it had signed a contract for eight armoured vehicles for Ukraine.[50] Just days later, Anand confirmed that the Canadian Armed Forces had begun to train Ukrainian forces in the use of the howitzers.[51]
On April 28, 2022, Anand met with U.S. Defense SecretaryLloyd Austin during her first official visit to the United States. Anand and Austin told reporters that they had discussed further military aid to Ukraine and modernization of theNorth American Aerospace Defense Command.[52]
On May 8, an additional $50 million in military assistance to Ukraine was announced, including 18 drone cameras, $15 million for high-resolution satellite imagery, additional ammunition and small arms.[53] On May 24, Anand announced at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre inVictoria that Canada had purchased more than 20,000 rounds of artillery ammunition for Ukraine, which are compatible with M777 artillery guns provided by Canada, at a cost of $98 million CAD.[54] On June 15, at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels, Anand announced that Canada would donate $9 million worth of M777 howitzer replacement barrels to Ukraine.[55]
At the 2022 NATO Leaders Summit inMadrid, Anand signed an agreement withLatvia's Defence Minister,Artis Pabriks, to upgrade the Canadian-led NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group in Latvia to abrigade size.[56] At the summit, Canada also committed new military aid for Ukraine, specifically, six drone cameras and up to 39 armoured combat support vehicles.[57] Days later, Anand visitedGeneral Dynamics Land Systems' facility inLondon, Ontario to meet with workers who assemble the armoured combat support vehicles, and said in an interview, “GDLS armoured vehicles are top of the line and we want to provide vehicles that are readily usable, easily accessible and able to be repaired if damaged. Ukraine asked for these.”[58]
In July 2022, at the 15th Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas inBrasília, Anand led an effort to convince other countries present to denounce the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Anand toldPolitico that “Canada and I, as the representative here, felt that it's very important to voice this concern in a tangible way here at the conference... There is an impact of the Russian invasion on this region, a negative impact on economies here, on food security in our hemisphere.”[59] Canada's efforts were successful, with the conference's final declaration stating, "The conflicts present around the world, such as the invasion of Ukraine and the violent acts by armed groups that terrorize the population in Haiti are not legitimate means to settle disputes, therefore the Member States of the CDMA, seek peaceful solutions as soon as possible."[60] The Declaration also included a disclaimer by Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Paraguay, the United States of America and Uruguay, reiterating these countries "condemnation in the strongest terms of the Russian Federation's illegal, invasion of Ukraine."[60]
On August 4, 2022, Anand announced the deployment of up to 225 Canadian Armed Forces personnel to theUnited Kingdom to train new recruits to theArmed Forces of Ukraine, under Operation Unifier.[61]
In September 2022, Anand told theCanadian Broadcasting Corporation that it would boost the capacity of theRoyal Canadian Air Force hub inPrestwick, Scotland, by adding a thirdC-130 Hercules aircraft and boosting its presence to 55 personnel, thus enabling it to deliver additional military aid to Ukraine.[62]
Days after Russian missiles struck Kyiv and other civilian centres in Ukraine, Anand visitedWarsaw on October 11, 2022, and met with her Polish counterpartMariusz Błaszczak. While in Warsaw, Anand announced the deployment of approximately forty Canadian Armed Forces combat engineers to Poland to train Ukrainian sappers under Operation Unifier.[63] Referring to the Russian attacks, Anand condemned the Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian cities as war crimes.[64] The next day, at a meeting of the U.S.-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group inBrussels, Anand announced an additional $47 million CAD in military aid to Ukraine, including "artillery rounds, satellite communications, winter clothing and drone cameras, among other assistance."[65]
On November 14, 2022, Canada announced an additional $500 million in military aid for Ukraine, bringing its total commitment of military aid to over $1 billion CAD since February 2022.[66] On November 16, 2022, Canada announced the extension of Operation Unifier in the United Kingdom through the end of 2023.[67] At a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group later that day, Anand also announced that Canada would contribute $34 million in additional military aid to Ukraine, in the form of drone cameras, additional winter clothing, and satellite services.[67]
Following Ukrainian officials' repeated asks to NATO countries forair defence systems, Anand announced on January 10, 2023 that Canada would donate aNASAMS air defence system to Ukraine at a cost of approximately $406 million. "In the face of Russia's brutal airstrikes on Ukraine, this air defence system will help to protect Ukrainian population centres and critical infrastructure against drone, missile, and aircraft attacks,” Anand said.[68] Oleksii Reznikov, Ukraine's defence minister, said that the system will “considerably reinforce” Ukraine's defence capabilities.[68]
Anand visited Kyiv andIrpin during a trip to Ukraine on January 18, 2023. There, she met with Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov and announced that Canada would donate 200Roshel Senatorarmoured personnel carriers manufactured inMississauga, Ontario.[69][70] This announcement marked the full allocation of the additional $500 million in military aid to Ukraine announced by Canada on November 14, 2022.
Anand announced on January 26, 2023 that Canada would donate four of theCanadian Army'sLeopard 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine, with the possibility of more to follow.[71]
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Anand's 2021 mandate letter from Prime Minister Trudeau instructed her to "work with the United States to modernize theNorth American Aerospace Defence Command."[72]
On June 20, 2022, atCFB Trenton, Anand announced a five-point NORAD modernization plan that is estimated to cost approximately $40 billion over twenty years.[73] Anand said that there was “pressing need” to respond to threats likehypersonic andcruise missiles, and declared that the plan was “the most significant upgrade to NORAD from a Canadian perspective in almost four decades.”[73][74]
Anand declared, “In close coordination with the United States, we will establish the backbone of a brand-new northern approaches surveillance system to enhance surveillance and early warning threats to our continent," adding that this new system will “essentially push our line of sight further north, ensuring we will be able to respond to fast moving threats like hypersonics.”[74] US Ambassador to CanadaDavid Cohen welcomed the funding, stating, “The United States looks forward to continuing to strengthen our collaboration with Canada on continental defence and security, including in the Arctic."[74]
During a visit toLabrador on August 24, 2022, Anand confirmed thatCFB Goose Bay would be one of four northern locations to receive basing upgrades under the $15.68 billion allocated for infrastructure upgrades in Canada's NORAD modernization plan.[75]
On January 9, 2023, Anand announced that Canada had finalized the acquisition of 88Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets for theRoyal Canadian Air Force. In a statement, Anand said, “As the rules-based international order is challenged around the world, the F-35 will be essential for protecting Canadians, enhancing Arctic security and national sovereignty, and enabling Canada to meet its NATO, NORAD and other obligations well into the future."[76] At a press conference, she added, "these projects will sharpen our military edge to keep Canadians safe and they will create economic opportunities for our country."[77]
Days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Anand told the Ottawa Conference on Security and Defence that "Europe is not the only fault line in the global security environment at the current time."[78] She spoke about the need to be "cognizant of China's range of assertive activities in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world ... the patterns are there for all to see, frankly."[78] Anand described Chinese activity in the East and South China Seas as "coercive", also citing theft of intellectual property, "irresponsible and very concerning behaviour in cyberspace", and thedetention of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig.[78]
While inSingapore to attend theShangri-La Dialogue in June 2022, Anand addressed Chinese interceptions ofRoyal Canadian Air Force aircraft. She toldReuters, "[T]he interceptions by the Chinese of our (aircraft) are very concerning and unprofessional and we need to ensure that the safety and security of our pilots is not at risk, especially when they are simply monitoring as required under UN-sanctioned missions."[79]
Following a visit toTaiwan bySpeaker of the United States House of RepresentativesNancy Pelosi, Anand toldCBC News in August 2022 that "it is routine for legislators from our countries to travel internationally, and China's escalatory response simply risks increasing tensions and destabilizing the region."[80] She called on China "not to unilaterally change the status quo by force in the region and to resolve cross-strait differences by peaceful means."[80]
During her keynote address at the 2022Halifax International Security Forum, Anand foreshadowed the release of the Trudeau government's Indo-Pacific strategy. She stated that Canada would "increase [its] military presence and enhance [its] defence and security relationships with partners and allies in the [Indo-Pacific] region."[81] She added, "We will challenge China when we ought to. We will cooperate with China when we must."[81]
On November 27, 2022, Anand announced the defence and security elements of Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy. Anand said that the strategy will boost Canada's annual deployment offrigates to the Indo-Pacific from two to three, and that it would bolster participation of Canadian aviators and soldiers in regional military exercises.[82] The Strategy referred to China as an "increasingly disruptive global power."[82]
Anand assumed the position of President of the Treasury Board following a cabinet shuffle initiated by Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau amid a challenging political environment for the incumbent Liberal party.
In her role, Anand worked to advance the Greening Government Strategy, modernize and strengthen the Government of Canada's digital capabilities, strengthen management of taxpayer dollars, and promote diversity and inclusion within the public service.[83] In October, 2024, Anand announced that the federal government would purchase at least $10million of carbon removal services in the race to reach net-zero government operations by 2050.[84] The purchases in carbon removal services will be made through TBS’ Low-Carbon Fuel Procurement Program (LCFPP), an eight-year, $134.9 million initiative to reduce emissions from federal air and marine operations. This investment followed the Budget 2024 decision to expand the LCFPP to include the procurement of carbon dioxide removal services in addition to low-carbon intensity fuels.[84]
In October 2023, Anand announced the creation of a restorative engagement programme in the public service to address systemic discrimination, and ensure the Government is working to be inclusive.[85] In February 2024, Anand announced an action plan[86] for Black public service employees. The implementation of the Action Plan will be led by an internal task force made up of primarily Black employees. The task force will engage through check-ins with employee networks, surveys, and discussions with Black public servants to further engage on the implementation of current and future initiatives under the Action Plan. In October, 2024, Anand joined 50 Black executives from 2 cohorts to celebrate the launch of a new stream of the Executive Leadership Development Program.[87]
One of Anand's priorities was modernizing legacy IT systems and increasing cybersecurity across the federal government. Anand launched the GC Digital Talent Platform to allow employees with digital knowledge and skills to apply for jobs in the public service in January 2024, as part of her work to strengthen Canada's public service. In May 2024, Anand announced a Government-wide Cyber Security Strategy.[88] The strategy outlines an approach to ensure that the Government can combat cyber threats and address vulnerabilities across the government's digital estate. That same month, Anand announced nationwide consultations with public and private experts on creating an AI strategy for the public service. Public consultations for this strategy were announced in September 2024.[89]
In June 2024, Anand announced her intent to expand early pension eligibility for frontline safety and security workers across the federal government, or the "25 and out" pension.[90] These proposed changes would provide consistency to how the pension plan recognizes the demanding nature of the day-to-day duties for these occupational groups.
Early in 2024, Anand announced her intention to re-ignite the Canada-U.S. Regulatory Cooperation Council, a bilateral forum between Canada and the United States that focuses on reducing regulatory barriers to ease trade, and save money for cross-border businesses[91]
In her role as Treasury Board President, Anand announced “25 and out” early retirement benefits for frontline public servants on December 18, 2024. These benefits were outlined in the Fall Economic Statement dated December 16, 2024.[92]
In September 2024, the Prime Minister appointed Anand to Minister of Transport, in addition to her role as President of the Treasury Board.[93]
In her new role, Anand announced a US preclearence facility will be built atBilly Bishop Airport downtown Toronto.[94] In October 2024, Anand also announced $45 million in rail safety nationwide.
On December 21, 2024, she released the Airline Passenger Protection Regulations. Canada was the first country to bring in regulations of this sort and Minister Anand is seeking to strike the right balance between passenger protections and a competitive airline industry. In particular, the Canadian Transportation Agency’s proposed amendments to the Air Passenger Protection Regulations were published in Part I of the Canada Gazette on December 21, 2024, for a 75-day public comment period.
Minister Anand explained that, “The goal of these proposed amendments is to make the regulations clearer for both travellers and air carriers. The proposed amendments eliminate grey zones and ambiguity about when passengers are owed compensation, which will ensure quicker resolutions for passengers."[95]
In February 2025, Anand announced major investments to strengthen port infrastructure, supply chain efficiency, and transportation decarbonization throughout Canada. On February 5, Anand announced $25 million for the Halifax Port Authority to advance the Halifax–Hamburg green shipping corridor, reducing emissions and improving port infrastructure.[96][97] On February 11, she announced $35.5 million for clean marine technology in British Columbia under the Green Shipping Corridor Program, funding shore power, clean energy adoption, and low-emission vessels.[96] This funding will also allow for shore power technology, low-emission vessels, and clean energy adoption at ports, which will accelerate Canada’s transition to net-zero marine transport.[98] On February 12, Anand announced $33.1 million for six infrastructure projects in British Columbia and Alberta under the National Trade Corridors Fund.[96] The investment supports rail and port upgrades to enhance freight movement, intermodal connections, and supply chain efficiency.[99] These investments strengthen Canada’s trade networks and advance sustainable transportation.
On February 4, 2025, Anand announced over $125 million through Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan to strengthen marine safety in 47 communities.[96][100]
In October 2024, Anand announced $45 million in rail safety nationwide. Then on February 12, 2025, Anand together with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Martin Imbleau, President and CEO of Alto, announced Alto, Canada’s first high-speed rail network connecting Toronto and Quebec City.[101] Spanning 1,000 km and reaching speeds of 300 km/h, the project will cut travel times in half, with additional stops in Peterborough, Ottawa, Montréal, Laval, and Trois-Rivières.
As Canada’s largest infrastructure project, Alto is expected to boost GDP by $35 billion annually, create over 51,000 jobs during construction, and enhance economic productivity.[102] The government has committed $3.9 billion over six years for project development, with Cadence, a consortium of global transportation firms, selected to design, build, finance, operate, and maintain the network. Anand highlighted Alto’s role in strengthening regional economies and reducing emissions and the collaboration between public and private partners to deliver a modern, efficient transportation system for Canadians.
Anand was sworn into a new cabinet position as Minister of Transport and Internal Trade as of December 20, 2024.[103]
Anand was speculated to be a potential candidate in the2025 Liberal Party of Canada leadership election to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. On January 11, she announced that she would not be standing for re-election in the2025 Canadian federal election, instead opting to retire from politics to return to academia and research. On January 25, she endorsed former Bank of Canada governorMark Carney; and retracted her intention to retire from politics, opting to seek re-election.[104][105][106][107]
Anand launched a public consultation about the Canada-US border on January 31, 2025, aimed at expanding security screening at Canadian ports, enhancing background checks, reinforcing border security, and protecting supply chains.[96][108]
As the United States considers new tariffs, Anand has emphasized the importance of strengthening internal trade and supporting Canadian businesses to ensure long-term economic stability.[109] She has advocated for reducing internal trade barriers between all provinces and territories, and enhancing domestic market resilience, arguing that greater economic integration within Canada will bolster competitiveness and safeguard jobs.
Anand has said that eliminating interprovincial trade barriers could boost GDP and domestic trade. She has pushed for regulatory reforms to streamline trade between provinces, given mounting external trade pressures.[110]
On February 7, 2025, Anand attended the Canada-U.S. Economic Summit, where she emphasized the need for a long-term prosperity agenda for Canada amid a 30-day pause on U.S. tariffs.[111] Anand met leaders from trade, business, public policy, Indigenous communities, and labour to discuss strategies for breaking barriers, diversifying exports, and boosting productivity.[112]
Anand led efforts to reduce interprovincial trade barriers and improve labour mobility, working with provinces and territories to streamline regulations, cut red tape, and enhance economic integration.[113]
Anand said that Canada’s fragmented regulatory framework limits domestic trade, making it easier for some businesses to export abroad than to neighbouring provinces. She pushed for harmonizing agricultural regulations, simplifying licensing requirements, and removing restrictions on the transport of goods. With U.S. tariffs looming, Anand positioned internal trade reform as a critical tool to offset protectionist policies.[114]
On January 31, Anand outlined her proposal for tackling barriers to internal trade in an opinion piece in theToronto Star.[115] She called for renewed federal, provincial, and territorial cooperation to build a more integrated domestic economy, ensuring that businesses and workers can operate seamlessly across Canada. At a Government announcement at the Port of Halifax on February 5, Anand committed to making significant progress on Internal Trade within 30 days. In the midst of U.S. tariff threats, Anand scheduled an urgent meeting of the Committee on Internal Trade, bringing provinces and territories together in Toronto on February 21.[citation needed]
At that meeting, provinces and territories committed to eliminating exceptions to the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), prioritizing the removal of regulatory and administrative barriers to the movement of goods in Canada, ensuring workers can work in any jurisdiction in this country without delay, and making it easier to buy and sell Canadian goods from one another.[116] On February 21, the Globe & Mailbroke the story that the federal government was removing more than half of their exceptions from the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, opening up competition across the country.[citation needed] The Committee on Internal Trade met again in Toronto on February 28,[117] preparing their proposal for the First Ministers Meeting. On March 5, the provinces and territories, in a meeting of the First Ministers with then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, reached an agreement on a number of measures to reduce internal barriers to trade, including direct-to-consumer alcohol sales.
On March 14, 2025, Minister Anand was sworn into a new cabinet position underMark Carney’s government asMinister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.[118]
In 1995, Anand married her husband John. They have lived in Oakville for 21 years, from 1997 to 1999 and since 2005. The couple have four children.[119][5]
Anand was awarded the 2022 Global Citizen Award by theUnited Nations Association in Canada.[120]
| 2021 Canadian federal election:Oakville | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures | |||
| Liberal | Anita Anand | 28,137 | 46.1 | -0.2 | ||||
| Conservative | Kerry Colborne | 24,430 | 40.0 | +0.9 | ||||
| New Democratic | Jerome Adamo | 5,373 | 8.8 | +1.3 | ||||
| People's | J.D. Meaney | 1,970 | 3.2 | +2.0 | ||||
| Green | Oriana Knox | 1,090 | 1.8 | -3.9 | ||||
| Total valid votes | 61,000 | 99.5 | ||||||
| Total rejected ballots | 330 | 0.5 | ||||||
| Turnout | 61,330 | 68.3 | ||||||
| Eligible voters | 89,757 | |||||||
| Liberalhold | Swing | -0.6 | ||||||
| Source:Elections Canada[121] | ||||||||
| 2019 Canadian federal election:Oakville | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures | |||
| Liberal | Anita Anand | 30,265 | 46.28 | -3.11 | $88,029.39 | |||
| Conservative | Terence Young | 25,561 | 39.08 | -3.41 | $98,290.90 | |||
| New Democratic | Jerome Adamo | 4,928 | 7.54 | +1.62 | none listed | |||
| Green | James Elwick | 3,704 | 5.66 | +3.47 | $7,355.08 | |||
| People's | JD Meaney | 798 | 1.22 | none listed | ||||
| Christian Heritage | Sushila Pereira | 145 | 0.22 | none listed | ||||
| Total valid votes/expense limit | 65,401 | 99.26 | ||||||
| Total rejected ballots | 487 | 0.74 | +0.36 | |||||
| Turnout | 65,888 | 72.94 | -0.51 | |||||
| Eligible voters | 90,334 | |||||||
| Liberalhold | Swing | +0.15 | ||||||
| Source:Elections Canada[122][123] | ||||||||
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|---|---|---|
| Predecessor | Office | Successor |
| Carla Qualtrough | Minister of Public Services and Procurement November 20, 2019 – October 26, 2021 | Filomena Tassi |
| Harjit Sajjan | Minister of National Defence October 26, 2021 – July 26, 2023 | Bill Blair |
| Mona Fortier | President of the Treasury Board July 26, 2023 – present | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Academics | |
| Other | |