Born in Kentville, Nova Scotia, the Honourable Anita Anand is a Canadian politician and lawyer who has had a significant impact on the political and social landscape of Canada. Anand earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto, and her law degree from the University of Oxford.
Anand was called to the bar in 1994, and began her career as an associate at Torys from 1994-1997. She worked as an assistant professor at Queen's University Faculty of Law until 2006, when she moved to work as a professor of law at the University of Toronto, specializing in corporate governance and securities regulation.
She is an influential member of the Oakville community, serving on the board of directors of the Lighthouse for Grieving Children, the Oakville Hospital Foundation and Oakville Hydro Electricity Distribution Inc. In 2019, Anand was elected to the Canadian House of Commons as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the riding of Oakville, Ontario, and was appointed as the Minister of Public Services and Procurement in the federal cabinet.
As Minister of Public Services and Procurement, Anand played a critical role in securing essential medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic. She led efforts to acquire personal protective equipment, vaccines, and other critical supplies for Canadian healthcare workers and citizens. Her efforts for Canada have been effective and efficient, helping to ensure that Canadians had access to the necessary supplies to combat the pandemic.
In 2021, Anand was appointed as the Minister of National Defence. She has been in this role for a relatively short period of time. However, she has already taken several important steps in her role as the Minister of National Defence.
One of the first priorities of Anand as the Minister of National Defence was to review the military's handling of sexual misconduct cases, following a series of high-profile scandals that highlighted the issue within the Canadian Armed Forces. In November 2021, she announced a new action plan aimed at combating sexual misconduct and harassment in the military. The plan includes the establishment of a new independent centre for accountability and reporting, as well as additional support for victims and increased education and training for members of the military.
Another key focus for Anand has been the modernization of the Canadian Armed Forces. In December 2021, she announced the government's new defence policy, which includes a $77.5 billion investment in defence over the next 20 years. The plan includes significant investments in areas such as cyber defence, space capabilities, and maritime surveillance, as well as the procurement of new fighter jets and naval vessels.
In addition to these initiatives, Anand has also been involved in several international meetings and engagements. In November 2021, she attended the Halifax International Security Forum, where she discussed issues such as cyber defence, climate change, and strategic partnerships with other defence ministers from around the world.
Anand has also been working to strengthen Canada's strategic partnerships with other countries, particularly with the United States. In December 2021, she met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to discuss issues such as defence modernization, Arctic security, and supply chain resilience.
Anita Anand has been recognized for her contributions to Canadian society. She has received numerous awards and honours, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Canadian Bar Association's Young Lawyers Pro Bono Award, the University of Toronto's Arbor Award, and the Yvan Allaire Medal from the Royal Society of Canada.
Anita Anand is paving the way for women in politics. Her dedication to public service and her contributions to the fields of law have earned her the respect and admiration of Canadians across the country.
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References:
The Honourable Anita Anand, Accessed February 17 2023.
“Anita Anand.” Wikipedia, Accessed 17 February 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anita_Anand.
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