Indian-Origin Leaders in the Race for Canadian Prime Minister: Who Are Anita Anand and George Chahal?

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently announced his resignation, sparking widespread interest in who will succeed him. This comes after internal strife within the Liberal Party and declining public support. Notably, out of the party’s 153 Members of Parliament, 131 voted in favor of Trudeau stepping down. Following this development, the focus has shifted to the next possible leader of the Liberal Party and the new Prime Minister of Canada. Among the prominent names emerging in the race are two leaders of Indian origin: Anita Anand and George Chahal.

In a media statement on Monday, Trudeau said, "I plan to resign from my position as party leader and Prime Minister after the party selects its new leader. I requested the Liberal Party President to initiate the process last night."

With Trudeau’s resignation accepted, the Liberal Party has commenced its search for a new leader. Prominent contenders include Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, along with Indian-origin leaders Anita Anand and George Chahal.

Anita Anand, who previously served as Canada’s Minister of National Defence, is currently the Minister of Transport and Intergovernmental Affairs in Trudeau’s cabinet. She is seen as a potential successor to Trudeau. Born to Indian-origin parents—her father from Tamil Nadu and her mother from Punjab—Anand has significant political experience. Notably, she played a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic as the Minister of Public Services and Procurement from 2019 to 2021, where she led efforts to secure medical supplies and negotiate contracts.

George Chahal, a Liberal MP from Alberta, is a well-known lawyer and a strong leader within the Sikh community. He previously served as a Calgary City Councillor for Ward 5. In a recent letter to his colleagues, Chahal requested support for his candidacy, receiving backing from several MPs. Currently, he chairs the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and leads the Sikh Caucus. Chahal played a pivotal role in criticizing Trudeau and advocating for his resignation. However, it is reported that Chahal, appointed as the interim leader of the Liberal legislative caucus, may not be eligible for the Prime Minister’s position due to Canadian law, which disqualifies interim leaders from assuming the Prime Minister’s office.