The cabinet reshuffle comes over a month after PM Trudeau’s Liberal Party returned to power

Indian-origin Canadian politician Anita Anand was on Tuesday sworn in as the new Minister for National Defence in a cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The cabinet reshuffle comes over a month after PM Trudeau’s Liberal Party returned to power.

On being sworn in as Canada's Defence Minister, Anand, who is Member of Parliament for Oakville, said on Twitter, “It is my sincere honour to be sworn in today as Minister of National Defence. Thank you @JustinTrudeau for entrusting me with this portfolio.”

The 54-year-old Anand replaces another Indian-origin politician, Harjit Sajjan.

Sajjan has been appointed as the Minister of International Development Agency and is the other Person-of-Indian-origin (PIO) besides Kamal Khera who continues being in the cabinet following the reshuffle.

Taking to Twitter, Sajjan said, “I look forward to continuing my work promoting peace and security around the world as Minister for @CanadaDev. We'll continue the important work that @karinagould has done in promoting development, human rights and gender equity around the world. I will also continue to work on creating well-paying, middle class jobs for the people of #Vancouver and #BritishColumbia as the Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada.”

Another Indian-origin nurse-turned politician, Kamal Khera retains her cabinet position as the Minister of Seniors. With Anand inducted into the Justin Trudeau’s cabinet, there are now 3 Persons of Indian-origin in Canadian Cabinet.

Anand was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Oakville in 2019. She has previously served as Minister of Public Services and Procurement. Born and raised in rural Nova Scotia, she moved to Ontario in 1985.

Minister Anand has worked as a scholar, lawyer, and researcher. She has been a legal academic, including as a Professor of Law at the University of Toronto where she held the JR Kimber Chair in Investor Protection and Corporate Governance.