November 20, 2019 | Alumni
Anita Anand, an alumna and a professor at U of T's Faculty of Law, named to federal cabinet
By Nina Haikara
Anita Anand (LLM 1996)
First-time Liberal Member of Parliament and University of Toronto Faculty of Law Professor Anita Anand (LLM 1996) has been named the federal minister of public services and procurement.
Anand, who is currently on leave from U of T after being elected to represent the riding of Oakville, Ont. in the most recent federal election, was sworn in at Rideau Hall today as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reshuffled cabinet portfolios.
An expert on the regulation of capital markets with a specific focus on corporate governance, enforcement, capital-raising techniques and systemic risk, Anand is a former associate dean of law who is cross-appointed to the Rotman School of Management and the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy.
She is also a senior fellow of Massey College and served as the academic director of the Centre for the Legal Profession and its program on ethics in law and business.
At the time of her election, Anand’s goals included strengthening the economy, implementing national pharmacare and supporting the fight against climate change.
Anand has a record of public service and has been appointed to numerous expert committees, including Ontario’s Expert Committee to Consider Financial Advisory and Financial Planning Policy Alternatives. She has also conducted research for the task force to modernize securities legislation in Canada and the Commission of Inquiry into the Investigation of the Bombing of Air India Flight 182.
The Royal Society of Canada earlier this year awarded Anand the Yvan Allaire Medal for outstanding contributions in governance relating to private and public organizations.
The federal cabinet includes six U of T alumni:
- Anita Anand (LLM 1996): Minister of Public Services and Procurement.
- Carolyn Bennett (MD 1974): Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.
- Bill Blair (BA 1980 UTSC, CLEA 1983): Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.
- Catherine McKenna (BA 1994 SMC): Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.
- Mary Ng (BA 1996 UTSC): Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade.
- Filomena Tassi (MRE 2004 SMC): Minister of Labour.