Transport Minister Anita Anand is set to reverse her previous decision to retire from politics and will announce her candidacy for re-election.
Anand is expected to make the official announcement on Friday at an event alongside Mark Carney, the frontrunner in the Liberal Party’s leadership race. Neither Anand nor her office have responded to requests for comment, nor has Carney’s campaign.
In January, Anand announced she would not seek the Liberal leadership or run in the next federal election. At the time, she expressed gratitude for her time as the Member of Parliament for Oakville and her tenure in cabinet. However, recent shifts in the political landscape appear to have influenced her decision to remain in public service.
Since Anand’s initial decision to step away, the Liberal Party’s electoral fortunes have changed significantly. The return of Donald Trump to the White House and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to step down have dramatically altered the political climate. Recent polls show the Liberals narrowing the gap with the Conservatives, with some surveys suggesting a statistical tie—a stark contrast from the 20-point deficits seen in previous months.
Anand’s decision to stay in the race provides the Liberals with a strong incumbent in a key battleground riding in Ontario. First elected in 2019, Anand has held several senior cabinet roles, including Minister of Public Services and Procurement, Minister of National Defence, and most recently, Minister of Transport.
She is not the only Liberal MP to reconsider retirement. Housing Minister Nathaniel Erskine-Smith changed course after being appointed to cabinet in January, and New Brunswick MP Wayne Long has indicated he would seek re-election if Carney wins the Liberal leadership.
With the political landscape shifting, Anand’s re-election bid signals renewed momentum for the Liberal Party as it prepares for the upcoming federal election.