Oakville MP and Transport Minister Anita Anand has announced she will not be running for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada and will not seek re-election in the next federal campaign.
In a statement shared on her social media platforms on Saturday afternoon, Anand, who also oversees internal trade, reflected on her decision to step back from politics and return to her roots in academia.
“After the 2019 election, I took a leave of absence, intending to return one day to academia,” said Anand, a lawyer and law professor before entering public office. “The joy and fulfillment I’ve experienced working alongside the Prime Minister, my Cabinet colleagues, and our caucus delayed this decision. However, with the Prime Minister charting his next chapter, I feel this is the right time for me to do the same and return to my prior professional life of teaching, research, and public policy analyses.”
Anand’s tenure in federal politics has been marked by high-profile roles and significant achievements. She was first appointed Minister of Public Services and Procurement, a portfolio in which she spearheaded Canada’s acquisition of personal protective equipment and vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the 2021 election, she took on the role of Minister of National Defence before being named President of the Treasury Board.
Anand is the latest prominent Liberal cabinet minister to announce her absence from the race to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as leader. Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly and Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc have also confirmed they will not seek the leadership.
As the leadership race heats up, former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney is expected to formally declare his candidacy next week, according to sources. The deadline for candidates to enter the race is January 23, with the party’s new leader set to be chosen on March 9.
Anand’s departure signals another significant shift within the Liberal Party, as it navigates a pivotal moment in its history and prepares for a future under new leadership.