TN origin Anita Anand creates history as first Hindu minister in Trudeau’s cabinet

Anand, who is professor of law at University of Toronto and is currently on leave after being elected to represent the riding of Oakville, Ont. in the most recent federal election, was sworn in at Rideau Hall as Trudeau reshuffled cabinet portfolios.

She was born in the town of Kentville in the province of Nova Scotia in 1967. Her late mother Saroj Ram was from Amritsar and her father SV Anand is from Vellore in Tamil Nadu. Her mother was an anaesthesiologist, and father a general surgeon. Anand has two sisters: Gita, who is an employment lawyer, and Sonia, who is a medical doctor and researcher at McMaster University. The family relocated to Ontario in 1985.

An elated Anita tweeted, “It is an honour to have been appointed Minister of Public Services and Procurement. I am looking forward to working hard for Canadians while representing Oakville in the 43rd Parliament of Canada.” Her sisters Sonia and Gita also congratulated her on Twitter saying, “So proud of my sister Anita Anand for achieving something our Mother dreamed for her! As we lost our Mother 5 years ago today; this is an incredible day for our family.”

A mother to four children, Anita was the earlier chairperson of the Canadian Museum of Hindu Civilisation. She also conducted research for the Commission of Inquiry into the Investigation of the terrorist bombing of Air India Flight 182.

She is also a senior fellow of Massey College and served as the academic director of the Centre for the Legal Profession and its programme on ethics in law and business.