Anand to combine Transport, Treasury Board portfolios

POEC video shows sharp, articulate Minister in action

Treasury Board Chair Anita Anand will act as Canada’s federal Minister of Transport as of September 19, 2024.

Anand will assume Transportation responsibilities in conjunction with her Treasury Board responsibilities until the next Cabinet shuffle, or the next election, whichever comes first, apparently.

Transport was left without a Minister when Pablo Rodriquez announced this week that he was stepping down to run for the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party.

There are lots of political possibilities to parse in the “in addition to” appointment of Anand to Transportation.

First, is that Transportation is such a quiet, unimportant file that it does not require a Minister’s full time and attention to do a proper job. I doubt that’s the message Trudeau wants to send, but maybe.

Second, is that Anand is so sharp, hard-working and talented that she is capable of managing both Treasury Board and Transportation. This is probably more likely.

Third, that Canada has zero large Transportation programs or infrastructure investments on the drawing board for the foreseeable future. If large programs requiring funding approval were in the works, it would be hugely awkward to have the President of Treasury Board (who would need to approve the funding) overseeing submissions by Transport Canada (which would be requesting the funding).

Traditionally, I think Anand would be require to recuse herself from that Treasury Board discussion, as Acting Minister of Transport. However, given the utter lack of care or consideration given by the Trudeau government to perceived AND real conflicts of interest, that might not present a problem.

Personally, I lean toward the second possible explanation – Anand is smart and articulate, a commanding presence who does not appear to suffer fools gladly. If you were seeking a sharp minister capable of staying below the radar, managing issues deftly and staying on message in the media, Anand might be at the top of the list.

I was unfamiliar with Anand’s background or reputation before the Emergencies Act was invoked in February, 2022; but her cross-examination during the Public Emergencies Order Commission in November, 2022 provided her an excellent opportunity to display her quick with and impressive levels of organization. If you want a fascinating snapshot of Canada’s new Transport Minister Anita Anand, view her entire testimony starting at minute 6:32:00 here.