Canada’s New Cabinet Features Four Ministers of Indian Heritage
Dubela, Prinona Ghosh: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed four Indian-origin Members of Parliament to key positions in his newly formed 28-member Cabinet, marking increased representation for the Indian diaspora. The new Cabinet includes Anita Anand, Maninder Sidhu, Ruby Sahota, and Randeep Sarai — an increase from two in Carney’s previous 24-member team following his succession of Justin Trudeau in March.
Anita Anand, a prominent figure in Canadian politics, has been named Foreign Minister, becoming the first Hindu to hold the position. She took her oath on the Bhagavad Gita, underscoring her cultural roots. A seasoned Cabinet member, Anand has previously overseen National Defence and Public Procurement, and currently represents Oakville, Ontario.
Maninder Sidhu, MP for Brampton East, assumes the role of Minister of International Trade at a time when Canada faces trade tensions with the U.S. Ruby Sahota, representing Brampton North since 2015, has been named Secretary of State for Combating Crime, tasked with supporting national public safety initiatives. Meanwhile, Randeep Sarai, MP for Surrey Centre, has taken on the role of Secretary of State for Canada’s foreign aid and global partnerships.
These appointments reflect Carney’s pledge to build a Cabinet that represents the Canadian mandate to strengthen the economy, enhance security ties with the U.S., and improve public safety. This election also saw a record 22 Indian-origin MPs elected to the House of Commons, up from 17 previously. However, New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh lost his Burnaby Central seat to Liberal candidate Wade Chang, highlighting shifting political dynamics within the diaspora.
