Anita Anand

Anita Anand, a prominent Canadian politician and lawyer, has made significant strides in her career since being elected as the Member of Parliament for Oakville East in the October 2019 election. A member of the Liberal Party, she quickly ascended to Cabinet, first serving as the Minister of Public Services and Procurement. In this role, she was instrumental in overseeing the federal government's procurement of vaccines and personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, Anand transitioned to the role of Minister of National Defence, where she played a crucial part in Canada's military support for Ukraine amid the 2022 Russian invasion. Her leadership and dedication earned her recognition as Canada's 'most valuable politician' by The Hill Times in 2021, and in 2022, Maclean's hailed her as the Trudeau government's 'all-round fixer.'

Following her tenure as Minister of National Defence, Anand served as the President of the Treasury Board from 2023 to 2024 and then as the Minister of Transport and Internal Trade until 2025. After the federal election in 2025, she was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in the 30th Canadian Ministry, chaired by Prime Minister Mark Carney, after a brief stint as Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.

Notably, Anand is the first Hindu woman to be elected to the Canadian Parliament and the first Hindu member of Cabinet. She is only the second woman in Canadian history to hold the position of Minister of National Defence, following former Prime Minister Kim Campbell.