Two Indian-origin women, Anita Anand and Kamal Khera, have been appointed to Canada’s new cabinet under Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Carney, a former central banker and leader of the Liberal Party, was sworn in as Canada’s Prime Minister on Friday. The ceremony, held in Ottawa, was presided over by Governor General Mary Simon.
Key Roles in the New Cabinet
Anita Anand, 58, has been named Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry, while Kamal Khera, 36, takes charge as Minister of Health. Both ministers previously served in former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet, though in different roles.
Delhi-born Khera, one of Canada’s youngest female MPs, was first elected in 2015 as the Member of Parliament for Brampton West. Her family moved to Canada when she was still in school, and she later earned a Bachelor of Science degree from York University, Toronto.
“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 posted on X.
As a nurse, my top priority is to always be there to support my patients and that’s the same mentality I’ll bring everyday 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. 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/aEdtq47XPs
— Kamal Khera 🇨🇦 (@KamalKheraLib) March 14, 2025
Before entering politics, Khera worked as a registered nurse in the oncology unit at St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Toronto. During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, she volunteered at a long-term care facility in Brampton.
Anita Anand’s Political Journey
Anita Anand, born and raised in Nova Scotia, had initially decided not to seek re-election after stepping back from the race to replace Justin Trudeau. However, she later reversed her decision, stating:
“Canada is facing a crucial moment in our nation’s history.”
Anand was first elected MP for Oakville in 2019 and has previously held several key positions, including President of the Treasury Board, Minister of National Defence, and Minister of Public Services and Procurement.
A renowned scholar and legal expert, Anand has worked as a Professor of Law at the University of Toronto, where she held the J.R. Kimber Chair in Investor Protection and Corporate Governance.
“I am honoured to be sworn in as the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development in @MarkJCarney’s Government. We are united and strong and will immediately get to work to build the Canada and the Canadian economy of tomorrow,” Anand said in a post on X.
I am honoured to be sworn in as the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development in @MarkJCarney’s Government. We know that negativity won’t pay the rent or the mortgage. Negativity won’t bring down the price of groceries. Negativity won’t win a trade war.
We’re… pic.twitter.com/CKlYavCPAG
— Anita Anand (@AnitaAnandMP) March 14, 2025
A Smaller, Focused Cabinet
Carney’s new cabinet comprises 13 men and 11 women, making it 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 posted on X, sharing a photo from the swearing-in ceremony.
