Meet Anita Anand
For 21 years, Oakville has been my home where John and I have raised our four children. I love this beautiful town, from its neighborhoods to its waterfront and its downtown core. While I was a Professor at the University of Toronto, I also built a proven record of service in Oakville, serving on the Board of Directors of the Lighthouse Program for Grieving Children, the Oakville Hospital Foundation, and Oakville Hydro Electricity Distribution Inc. I love taking long walks with my dogs and family along our scenic trails, finding peace in nature, and enjoying conversations with fellow community members.
Early Life
In the 1960s, my parents immigrated to Canada, building a life in the picturesque town of Kentville, Nova Scotia. At that time, we were one of the few South Asian families there. As the middle child of three sisters, I grew up with my siblings, Gita and Sonia, in a household deeply committed to community and service. Both of my parents were physicians—my mother was an anesthesiologist, and my father was a general surgeon. They instilled in us the values of perseverance and integrity in all of life’s endeavors. My mother, in particular, stood as a powerful role model, inspiring me to serve not only my community but also my country.
Education and Career
I hold a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Studies from Queen’s University, a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Jurisprudence from the University of Oxford, a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University, and a Master of Laws from the University of Toronto. I was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1994.
I worked as a scholar and researcher as a Professor of Law at the University of Toronto, where I held the J.R. Kimber Chair in Investor Protection and Corporate Governance. I also served as Associate Dean, was a member of the Governing Board of Massey College, and was the Director of Policy and Research at the Capital Markets Research Institute, Rotman School of Management. Additionally, I taught law at Yale University, Queen’s University, and Western University.
At the heart of my professional career over this time was completing extensive research on the regulation of financial markets, corporate governance, and shareholder rights. In 2015, I was appointed to the Government of Ontario’s Expert Committee to Consider Financial Advisory and Financial Planning Policy Alternatives and also conducted research for Ontario’s Five-Year Review Committee, the federal Wise Person’s Committee, and the Task Force to Modernize Securities Legislation in Canada. In 2019, I received the Royal Society of Canada’s Yvan Allaire Medal for outstanding contributions in governance relating to private and public organizations.
Government Positions
I am the first Hindu woman to be elected as a Member of Parliament and the first Hindu to become a Cabinet Minister in Canada. From 2019 to 2021, I served as Minister of Public Services and Procurement, overseeing Canada's acquisition of vaccines and personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. By August 2021, Canada had achieved the world's highest vaccination rate.
From October 2021 to July 2023, while serving as Minister of National Defence, I spearheaded Canada's military aid to Ukraine after the 2022 Russian invasion and drove significant cultural reforms in the Canadian Armed Forces following sexual misconduct scandals. My leadership also oversaw Canada's procurement of warships and aircraft, helping bolster the country’s military status.
Now, as a member of the government’s core economic team, I hold the position of President of the Treasury Board. In this role, I oversee the Treasury Board Secretariat, managing approximately 450 billion dollars of federal expenditures per year and almost 300,000 federal employees. As President, I am spearheading vital initiatives like greening government, driving digital transformation, and championing diversity and inclusion in the public sector. My leadership has helped revitalize government operations, modernize regulations, and enhance the inclusivity and efficiency of public services.
In my additional role as Minister of Transport, as of September 2024, I am committed to ensuring that more Canadians can get to their destinations on time and improve productivity in our country.
