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Anita Anand decides to seek re-election
Anand, who became the first woman of Indian origin to hold the portfolio of Defence, had declared early this year that she plans to go back to academics.
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Anita Anand, Canada’s Transport Minister and President of Treasury Board. /
Canada’s Transport Minister and President of Treasury Board, Anita Anand, who announced earlier this year her decision to skip the 2025 federal polls, has changed her mind.
Realizing the difficult times ahead because of the ongoing tariff war with the largest trade partner and neighbor, the United States, Anand, while reiterating her commitment to making “Canada first”, said that she would continue to serve the people of Canada through their difficult times.
Anand had taken to X handle to announce her revised decision. She said: “Canada is facing a crucial moment in our nation’s history. In the time since early January, when I made my announcement to step away from public life, the gravity of this moment has only grown in significance. Now, I look forward to continuing to serve and to running in the next federal election.
“Over the past seven weeks, I have been heavily engaged on the Canada-US file and have made headway on reducing interprovincial barriers to trade, with more work for me to do on both fronts,” she said revealing that “the words of my late mother ring even louder in my ears today. She often said to me, ”you must serve your country.”
Anand, who became the first woman of Indian origin to hold the portfolio of Defence, had declared early this year that she plans to go back to academics. While she was considered a strong candidate for the Liberal Party leadership and Prime Minister of Canada after Justin Trudeau made an announcement to quit the Liberal Party leadership as well as the office of the Prime Minister after a growing dissent in the Liberal caucus, she opted out.
Also Read: Anita Anand, Melanie Joly withdraw from Liberal race for PM post
There were repeated attempts by the main opposition party, the Conservatives, to bring down the Liberal Government under Justin Trudeau. He, however, managed to survive two no-confidence motions brought in by the Conservatives, thanks to support by the fourth largest party in the House of Commons, the New Democrats.
Later, when New Democrats also turned hostile and announced to bring in a no-confidence motion against his government, Trudeau offered to quit and requested the party high command to choose his successor. At the same time, he called on the Governor-General to seek prorogation of the House of Commons till March 24 so that the Liberals could choose their new leader.
The House of Commons was to resume its sitting on January 27. The governor-general acceded to Justin Trudeau’s recommendation and prorogued the House till March 24.
Four candidates – Mark Carney, Frank Baylis, Chrystia Freeland and Karina Gould – are in the run for the Liberal Party leadership. The election process will be completed by March 9.
Meanwhile, the number of sitting members of the House of Commons in general and the Liberal party in particular opting out of the 2025 federal elections started growing. At one stage, three Cabinet ministers of Indian origin – Anita Anand, Harjit Sajjan and Arif Virani – also joined the list of those not seeking re-election.
Anand has, however, relented and decided to seek election from Etobicoke, a riding she has been representing in the House of Commons. The Liberal Party website, however, does not reflect her as a candidate from Etobicoke so far.
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