Following Justin Trudeau stepping down on Monday as Canada’s prime minister after almost a decade in power, the race for his successor is heating up.
Among the names being tossed around is Indian-origin Liberal Party member Anita Anand, who stands out as a strong contender alongside key names such as Pierre Poilievre, Chrystia Freeland and Mark Carney.
With her impressive governance and public service background, the 57-year-old lawyer has been one of the most ambitious Liberal Party members since entering politics in 2019. The BBC places her as one of the top five contenders who could replace Mr Trudeau.
Ms Anand is currently serving as the minister for transport and internal trade. The former defence minister represents Oakville, a suburb of Toronto.
She has a Bachelor of Arts in political studies from Queen’s University, a Bachelor of Arts in jurisprudence from Oxford University, a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University and a Master of Laws from the University of Toronto.
Anand has also held academic positions at prestigious institutions like Yale and Queen’s University, and was a law professor at the University of Toronto before entering politics.
According to media reports, Ms Anand was born in Kentville, Nova Scotia, to an Indian family.
Her parents, mother Saroj D. Ram and father S.V. Anand, were both doctors who migrated to Canada in the 1960s from Tamil Nadu and Punjab respectively.
She is married to Canadian lawyer and business executive John Knowlton. They have four children.
As a woman of Indian descent, she has become a symbol of Canada’s diverse political landscape. She has advocated for policy changes that reflect the evolving needs of Canadians, particularly in areas like public health, defence and infrastructure.
Ms Anand has also been an advocate for gender equality, diversity, and LGBTQ+ rights.
