OTTAWA, Ontario — Canada has its third Transport Minister in little more than a year following last week’s resignation of Pablo Rodriguez, who had held the position since July 2023.
Anita Anand, the Member of Parliament for the riding of Oakville, Ontario, was named to the position after previously serving as national defense minister and minster of public services and procurement. She was sworn in during a brief ceremony Sept. 19.
CTV News reports Rodriguez resigned his position to run for leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party. While he resigned the cabinet position, Rodriguez will remain in Parliament for the riding of Honoré-Mercier, Quebec, as an independent, saying he had to “set my own priorities and advance my own vision.”
Rodriguez had become transport minister in July after Omar Alghabra decided to step down, saying he would not seek relection [see “Rodriguez sworn in as Canada’s transport minister,” Trains News Wire, July 26, 2023]. Alghabra had been transport minister since January 2021.
Anand, a lawyer and law professor who has taught at Yale and Ontario’s Queen’s University, will continue to service as president of Canada’s Treasury Board, a position she has held since July 2023. The Treasury Board oversees expenditures by the federal government. A more complete biography of Anand is available here.
— Updated to correct time frame of Rodriguez’ term as transport minister.
