Anita Anand Withdraws from Liberal Leadership Race

Anita Anand, the Canadian Transport Minister, has announced she will not seek re-election as the MP for Oakville nor will she enter the race to lead the Liberal Party following Justin Trudeau's resignation. This decision, shared via social media, comes as the Liberal Party prepares to elect a new leader by March 9. Anand emphasized her gratitude for the support she received from her constituents since first being elected in 2019, highlighting her journey from law professor to significant cabinet positions during her tenure. She plans to return to her previous career in teaching, research, and public policy analysis. Anand's departure leaves Chrystia Freeland and Karina Gould as the remaining prominent female candidates in the leadership race, alongside former British Columbia Premier Christie Clark. The new election process includes a substantial increase in candidate entry fees and changes to voting eligibility criteria, allowing those aged 14 and older to vote in the leadership contest.