Anita Vandenbeld
- Born
- December 3, 1971 — Calgary, Alberta
- Education
- B.A. (Hon.), History and Political Science, University of Calgary; M.A. in Political and Constitutional History, York University, 1994
- Career
- Director of Parliamentary Affairs in the Office of the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons; Policy Analyst with the National Liberal Caucus Research Bureau in the Canadian Parliament; Chief of staff to a Canadian Senator; worked for over a decade in international democratic development with the United Nations Development Programme and UNIFEM, and the National Democratic Institute
- Political Experience
- Elected to represent the riding of Ottawa West—Nepean in 2015, re-elected in 2019, 2021 and 2025. Parliamentary secretary to the Minister of International Development.
- Notable
- First in her family to graduate from University. Awarded the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal for her work in Kosovo in 2008. Recipient of the 2021 Esprit de Corps 'Breaking Down the Barricades - Top Women in Defence' award. Recipient of the 'Leading Women-Leading Girls' community service award.
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before entering politics, Anita Vandenbeld had a career in international development, focusing on democracy and human rights. She reportedly worked for organizations including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI). Her work involved advising on democratic reforms in numerous countries. According to her public disclosures to the Ethics Commissioner, her financial interests primarily consist of publicly traded securities and investment funds.
Key Relationships & Connections
As a member of the Liberal caucus, Anita Vandenbeld works under the leadership of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. She has served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence and the Minister of International Development, establishing close working relationships with the ministers in those roles during her appointments. She is also known for her work with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), where she has held leadership positions.
Where Anita falls on key policy spectrums
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S-246, An Act respecting the recognition of wartime service moved that Bill, be read the second time and referred to a committee. S-246 She said: Mr. Speaker, it is a tremendous honour to be here in this House today as the sponsor of Bill, the wartime service recognition act. What this bill would do is simple. It asks National Defence to set a national framework that would have objective and
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman also for all of the work he does for veterans and those who are still serving. There are timelines in the bill. This was very important to the veterans. It states that, within 12 months, there needs to be transparent and public criteria, a national framework that includes those criteria, and that it needs to be published.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that all parties, including the Bloc Québécois, support this bill. To answer my colleague's question, I think it is truly something that must be taken into consideration. First we need to pass Bill S-246. If we are going to award medals related to wartime service, that service must first be recognized. They need to have, almost as a prerequisite, recognized
Mr. Speaker, I would say it is when Mike McGlennon looked at me and asked why veterans have to fight for their own recognition. They should not have to. We will do it for them.
Mr. Speaker, I think you will find that it is the will of the House that the bill pass unanimously.
Mr. Speaker, Canada has not recognized any conflict since Korea as wartime service, despite the fact that veterans of the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and other conflicts participated in operations that can only be described as war. This reality must be recognized. Too many veterans and their families do not see their hardship and sacrifice reflected by the term “special duty service”. Can the
Thank you very much. I'd like to direct my questions to Mr. De Vrieze. Franklin, it's good to see you again. Most of your experience—for more than 25 years—has been with parliaments, and then AI is secondary. Parliaments are a very unique kind of place. We're not the same as other institutions that might be adopting AI. What would you see as a difference for the adoption of AI by a parliament?
Madam Speaker, as we approach October 11, the International Day of the Girl Child, we must remember the devastating impact of armed conflict on girls and women around the world. UNICEF estimates that more than 473 million children live in conflict-affected areas. Girls in these countries are nearly two and a half times more likely to be out of school. They face sexual violence, trafficking,