Two Indian-origin ministers in new Canada cabinet

Indo-Canadian Anita Anand and Delhi-born Kamal Khera, one of the youngest women ever elected to the Canadian Parliament, are part of new Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet.

Liberal Party’s Carney, a former central banker, was sworn in alongside members of the 30th Canadian Ministry on Friday at a ceremony presided over by Governor General Mary Simon here.

Anand (58) is the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry while Khera (36) is Minister of Health, both among the few retaining their ministerial posts, albeit with different portfolios, from former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet.

Delhi-born Khera’s family shifted to Canada when she was still in school. She later earned her Bachelor of Science degree from York University, Toronto. The Prime Minister of Canada’s website mentions that Khera was first elected as a Member of Parliament for Brampton West in 2015. “Minister Khera is one of the youngest women ever elected to Parliament. A registered nurse, community volunteer, and political activist, she is passionate about improving the lives of those around her,” it said.

“As a nurse, my top priority is to always be there to support my patients and that’s the same mentality I’ll bring every day to the role of Minister of Health. Extremely grateful for the confidence of PM @MarkJCarney. Now, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work,” Khera said in a post on X.

Khera has previously served as Minister of Seniors, as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development, as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue, and as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health.

Before entering politics, she worked as a registered nurse in the oncology unit at St Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto. “During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, she went back to her roots as a registered nurse to volunteer at a hard-hit long-term care facility in her hometown of Brampton,” the website adds.

Anand, who was a front-runner in the race to be the next PM to replace Trudeau, had in January declared that she was backing out from the race and also that she would not be seeking re-election. However, she had reversed the decision on March 1 saying, “Canada is facing a crucial moment in our nation’s history.” Born and raised in rural Nova Scotia, Anand moved to Ontario in 1985.

The Prime Minister of Canada’s website mentions that Anand was first elected as a Member of Parliament for Oakville in 2019 and previously served as President of the Treasury Board, as Minister of National Defence, and as Minister of Public Services and Procurement.

“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,” it said and listed her other academic achievements too.

Carney’s cabinet with 13 men and 11 women is smaller than Trudeau’s 37-member team. “Canada, meet your new cabinet. We’ve built a smaller, focused, and experienced team that is made to meet this moment,” Carney said in a post on X along with the photo of his cabinet after the swearing in ceremony.