Who Is Anita Anand? Indian-Origin MP Who Replaced Mélanie Joly As Canada’s Foreign Minister

Ottawa: Anita Anand has been appointed as Canada’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs in a major Cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday, May 13. The Indian-origin Liberal MP replaces Mélanie Joly, who has been reassigned to the role of Minister of Industry.

The reshuffle comes as Carney moves to distance his administration from that of former PM Justin Trudeau, introducing a 28-member Cabinet that emphasises gender balance and aims to project a reset in governance.

58-year-old Anand took the oath of office with her hand on the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu scripture she has also used in previous swearing-in ceremonies. She currently represents Oakville East in the House of Commons, having previously served as the MP for Oakville from 2019 to 2025.

Who Is Anita Anand?

Born in Kentville, Nova Scotia, on May 20, 1967, to Indian immigrant parents from Punjab and Tamil Nadu, Anand moved to Ontario at the age of 18. She holds degrees in political science and law, including a Bachelor of Arts in Jurisprudence from Oxford University, and law degrees from Dalhousie University and the University of Toronto.

Before entering politics, she worked as a law professor and researcher in governance and ethics. She is married to Canadian lawyer John Knowlton, and the couple has four children.

In a brief statement on social media after her appointment, Anand said she was “honoured” to take on the foreign affairs role and looked forward to working with the new Cabinet.

Anand's Political Career

Anand entered federal politics in 2019 and has since held several high-profile Cabinet roles. Her previous portfolios include Minister of Public Services and Procurement, Minister of National Defence, and President of the Treasury Board. She was also responsible for overseeing Canada’s vaccine procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic and later led the Defence Ministry during a period of scrutiny over military misconduct and internal reforms.

In the 2025 federal election, she won a seat in the newly created Oakville East riding, maintaining her position within the Liberal Party’s front bench. Her appointment to the foreign affairs post is seen as part of a broader strategy to maintain experienced figures in key positions while introducing new leadership under Carney.