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Time of India
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Who is Anita Anand? Indian-origin lawyer is Canada's first Hindu foreign minister
In a major moment for global diplomacy and Indian-origin communities worldwide, Anita Anand has been appointed as the new Minister of Foreign Affairs in Canada. With this historic appointment, she becomes the first Hindu and the first woman of Indian origin to take on this key role in Canadian politics. Anand's appointment was made on May 13, 2025, by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, as part of his newly formed cabinet after the federal elections. During the oath-taking ceremony, Anand made headlines by placing her hand on the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu text underlining both her faith and cultural roots. Here's everything you must know about her! Who Is Anita Anand? Anita Anand is a Canadian lawyer, academic, and politician. She was born in Kentville, Nova Scotia, in 1967. Her father, originally from Tamil Nadu, was a radiation oncologist, and her mother, who worked as a nutritionist, came from Punjab. She is the youngest of four children. Before entering politics, Anand had a successful academic career. She was a law professor at the University of Toronto, specialising in corporate governance and financial markets. Her deep knowledge in these fields later helped shape her political career, especially in areas involving procurement and defence. I am honoured to be named Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs. I look forward to working with Prime Minister Mark Carney and our team to build a safer, fairer world and deliver for Canadians. Anita Anand's political background Anita Anand began her political career with the Liberal Party of Canada. She was elected as a Member of Parliament from Oakville, Ontario, in 2019. Soon after, she was appointed as the Minister of Public Services and Procurement, where she played a vital role during the COVID-19 pandemic by overseeing Canada's vaccine purchases and medical supply chain. In 2021, she was named Canada's Minister of National Defence. In this role, Anand was praised for tackling long-standing issues within the Canadian Armed Forces, including workplace misconduct, and for helping coordinate military support to Ukraine. Her appointment as Foreign Minister now puts her in charge of managing Canada's international relationships at a crucial time for global diplomacy. What's more of India in the Canadian cabinet? Anita Anand's Indian origin holds strong significance in the multicultural fabric of Canada. Her parents immigrated from India in the 1960s, and she grew up understanding both Indian and Canadian values. Other Indian-origin politicians in the cabinet include Maninder Sidhu as Minister of International Trade, Ruby Sahota, and Randeep Sarai as Secretaries of State. Thank you to Vaishno Devi Temple for inviting me to attend this year's Mother's Day celebration! It warmed my heart to see so many families across #Oakville coming to celebrate and remember our mothers together. Anand is now one of the most high-profile Indian-origin politicians on the global stage, alongside others like former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and former U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
News18
14-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
With Bhagavad Gita In Hand, Anita Anand Takes Oath As Canada's Foreign Minister
Last Updated: Anita Anand Takes Oath: Videos from her oath-taking ceremony were widely shared on social media. Anita Anand, of Indian origin, became Canada's Foreign Minister in the Mark Carney cabinet, taking her oath on the Bhagavad Gita. This marks her as the first Hindu woman in the role. Anand, a repeat cabinet member, has used the Gita for previous oaths. Videos from her oath taking ceremony were widely shared on social media. Following her oath, she wrote on X (formerly Twitter), 'I am honoured to be named Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs. I look forward to working with Prime Minister Mark Carney and our team to build a safer, fairer world and deliver for Canadians." I am honoured to be named Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs. I look forward to working with Prime Minister Mark Carney and our team to build a safer, fairer world and deliver for Canadians. — Anita Anand (@AnitaAnandMP) May 13, 2025 Who Is Anita Anand? Anita Anand, born in Canada to parents from Punjab and Tamil Nadu, began her professional life as a corporate lawyer. Her public service journey commenced in 2015 with an appointment to an Ontario government expert committee. Subsequently, in 2019, she was elected Member of Parliament for Oakville and played a significant role as Minister of Public Services and Procurement during the challenging Covid-19 pandemic. In her personal life, Anand is married to John Knowlton, a Canadian lawyer and business executive. They have four children. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Canada First Published:
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Anita Anand love and family life: How Canada's new foreign minister met husband John Knowlton
Indian origin Anita Anand , 58, has been named as Canada's new foreign minister as newly-appointed PM Mark Carney unveiled his fresh cabinet. Anand, the first Hindu woman to become a cabinet minister, replaced Mélanie Joly , who would take over as the minister of industry . The reshuffle also reduces the cabinet size from 39 to 29, cutting the number of ministers. Anand was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Oakville in 2019, and quickly established herself as a dynamic force in Canadian politics . She was re-elected in 2021 with a mandate that further solidified her place in the political arena. She served most recently as Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and has previously served as Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, President of the Treasury Board, Minister of National Defence, and Minister of Public Services and Procurement. In her role as Public Services and Procurement Minister, she secured vital vaccines, PPE, and rapid tests during the Covid-19 pandemic. As Defence Minister, she led efforts to tackle sexual misconduct within the Canadian Armed Forces and coordinated military support for Ukraine in the wake of Russia's invasion. Her early life Born in 1967 in Kentville, Nova Scotia, to immigrant parents from India, Anita was raised in a household shaped by the principles of Mahatma Gandhi. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around in 2025 Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Her father, Sundaram V. Anand, was a general surgeon, and her mother, Saroj D. Ram, an anesthesiologist. Despite being one of the few South Asian families in the province, the Anands were warmly embraced by the community. Her grandfather, V.A. Sundaram, was also actively involved in India's independence movement. Anita grew up alongside her two sisters, Gita Anand, an employment lawyer, and Sonia Anand, a physician and researcher at McMaster University. In 1985, she moved to Ontario to pursue an undergraduate degree at Queen's University, marking the beginning of her academic and professional journey. How she met her husband Anita met John Knowlton , a Canadian lawyer and business executive, while articling at a Toronto law firm. Their love story began with a simple act of kindness. When Anita mentioned to John that she was having car trouble, he immediately stepped in to help. He noticed that the estimate she had received from one garage was too high and found a more reasonable quote for her. But that was just the beginning. John continued to lend his support, from helping her move into her sister's basement to driving her home after late nights at the office, according to Canadian magazine Maclean's. Their connection grew stronger during their bar admission courses, and it wasn't long before they started dating. Anita was called to the bar in 1994, and she was hired back at the prestigious law firm Torys. The following year, in 1995, Anita and John sealed their bond with marriage, marking the start of a lifelong partnership filled with love and support. They made a wonderful team of parents and embarked on a journey of raising their four children in Oakville, Ontario, where Anand has represented her community in Parliament. Anand's academic journey continued alongside her growing family. After leaving her corporate law career, she pursued a Master of Laws at the University of Toronto and later taught at various institutions, including Yale. During this time, she and her husband, John Knowlton, had four children, including twins. In 2006, Anita returned to U of T, where she became the J.R. Kimber Chair in Investor Protection and Corporate Governance. As their family settled in Oakville, their children enjoyed piano lessons and hockey, with John coaching their teams, all while Anita's academic career continued to thrive. The couple recently celebrated 30 years of being together and Anand posted a heartfelt message on social media. "True love conquers all! It was sunny and cold in Toronto on January 7, 1995, when John and I committed to spending life together 'forever and ever'. Happy 30th wedding anniversary , John. Thank you for this life of love and happiness. Here's to decades and decades more," she wrote. Future-Proof Your Child with AI Skills | Limited Early Bird Seats – 33% OFF! | WhatsApp: 9560500838
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trudeau proposes way forward on 24 Sussex problem during final days in power
As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau prepares to leave office, CBC News has learned that one of his final acts is an attempt to settle the problem of 24 Sussex Drive, the official — and long vacant — residence of Canada's prime minister. In a letter to Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, Trudeau asks the minister to develop a proposal with options for a new official residence for the prime minister by January 2026. The prime minister asks Duclos to set up an advisory committee that would weigh in on the location, cost, functionality and security requirements of the new residence. Trudeau sent a separate letter to Public Safety Minister David McGuinty asking him to support the process, as his department would help with security planning. CBC News has viewed the letters and was briefed on the overall plan by a senior government official who was speaking on background. Trudeau asks Duclos to transfer responsibility for the residence from the National Capital Commission (NCC) to Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) — which already is responsible for buildings in the parliamentary precinct. The advisory panel would include eminent Canadians that could include former prime ministers and clerks of the Privy Council to find a long-term solution for an official residence that would also include space for work and events and meet modern security requirements. The NCC is responsible for the management of the six official residences in Ottawa, including 24 Sussex. The home has been vacant since 2015, when Trudeau was first elected, and sits in disrepair. The NCC officially closed the residence in 2022 and workers have since stripped it of mould, asbestos, lead and the rodents living inside. The mansion, which sits on a prime riverfront property a few kilometres from Parliament Hill, served as the home for Canada's prime ministers between 1950 and 2015. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press) Broadly, there are three options for replace to 24 Sussex: A new or heavily renovated complex on the existing property, a move to a second property in the Rockcliffe Park neighbourhood of Ottawa that has a better security profile or an upgrade of Rideau Cottage, which has been the prime minister's unofficial official residence since 2015. None of the options are cheap. Official estimates say the lowest-cost option would be in the tens of millions of dollars and likely north of $100 million. That price tag has been a significant obstacle to any attempts to upgrade or replace 24 Sussex. WATCH | The history of 24 Sussex Drive: It was politically difficult to spend significant money on an official residence when ordinary Canadians are struggling to buy homes. This challenge was compounded by the inflation and affordability crisis in the years after the COVID-19 pandemic. The committee Trudeau is proposing is an attempt to get past that — especially if former prime ministers from different political parties participate in the process. The timing also means Trudeau won't be seen as benefiting from whatever the committee recommends. However, it is possible that Trudeau's successor Mark Carney — or whoever wins the next federal election — won't support what the committee recommends and decides not to move ahead with a new residence. Carney set to be sworn in as prime minister on Friday. Any new proposal would need to account for updated security needs. Several security sources and experts have said the 24 Sussex grounds are too small to meet modern requirements. And Trudeau has faced significant threats as prime minister. In 2021, a former Canadian Forces reservist crashed his truck through the gates of Rideau Hall, near the site of Trudeau's current residence, Rideau Cottage. According to court documents, Corey Hurren was outraged by the federal government's COVID-19 restrictions and its ban on assault-style firearms. He was sentenced to six years in prison and granted day parole earlier this year. Trudeau has never lived in 24 Sussex in his nine years as prime minister, but it was his childhood home when his father was prime minister.
CBC
13-03-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Trudeau proposes way forward on 24 Sussex problem during final days in power
Social Sharing As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau prepares to leave office, CBC News has learned that one of his final acts is an attempt to settle the problem of 24 Sussex Drive, the official — and long vacant — residence of Canada's prime minister. In a letter to Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, Trudeau asks the minister to develop a proposal with options for a new official residence for the prime minister by January 2026. The prime minister asks Duclos to set up an advisory committee that would weigh in on the location, cost, functionality and security requirements of the new residence. Trudeau sent a separate letter to Public Safety Minister David McGuinty asking him to support the process, as his department would help with security planning. CBC News has viewed the letters and was briefed on the overall plan by a senior government official who was speaking on background. Trudeau asks Duclos to transfer responsibility for the residence from the National Capital Commission (NCC) to Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) — which already is responsible for buildings in the parliamentary precinct. The advisory panel would include eminent Canadians that could include former prime ministers and clerks of the Privy Council to find a long-term solution for an official residence that would also include space for work and events and meet modern security requirements. The NCC is responsible for the management of the six official residences in Ottawa, including 24 Sussex. The home has been vacant since 2015, when Trudeau was first elected, and sits in disrepair. The NCC officially closed the residence in 2022 and workers have since stripped it of mould, asbestos, lead and the rodents living inside. Broadly, there are three options for replace to 24 Sussex: A new or heavily renovated complex on the existing property, a move to a second property in the Rockcliffe Park neighbourhood of Ottawa that has a better security profile or an upgrade of Rideau Cottage, which has been the prime minister's unofficial official residence since 2015. None of the options are cheap. Official estimates say the lowest-cost option would be in the tens of millions of dollars and likely north of $100 million. That price tag has been a significant obstacle to any attempts to upgrade or replace 24 Sussex. WATCH | The history of 24 Sussex Drive: 24 Sussex may never house another prime minister 2 years ago Duration 2:26 It was politically difficult to spend significant money on an official residence when ordinary Canadians are struggling to buy homes. This challenge was compounded by the inflation and affordability crisis in the years after the COVID-19 pandemic. The committee Trudeau is proposing is an attempt to get past that — especially if former prime ministers from different political parties participate in the process. The timing also means Trudeau won't be seen as benefiting from whatever the committee recommends. However, it is possible that Trudeau's successor Mark Carney — or whoever wins the next federal election — won't support what the committee recommends and decides not to move ahead with a new residence. Carney set to be sworn in as prime minister on Friday. Any new proposal would need to account for updated security needs. Several security sources and experts have said the 24 Sussex grounds are too small to meet modern requirements. And Trudeau has faced significant threats as prime minister. In 2021, a former Canadian Forces reservist crashed his truck through the gates of Rideau Hall, near the site of Trudeau's current residence, Rideau Cottage. According to court documents, Corey Hurren was outraged by the federal government's COVID-19 restrictions and its ban on assault-style firearms. He was sentenced to six years in prison and granted day parole earlier this year. Trudeau has never lived in 24 Sussex in his nine years as prime minister, but it was his childhood home when his father was prime minister.
