Toronto: Indian-origin Canadian politician Anita Anand (54) appointed as the new Defence Minister of the country on Tuesday. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in his Cabinet reshuffle after his Liberal Party returned power in the snap polls and amid calls for major military reforms.

Anita Anand will replace long time Defence Minister Indian-origin Harjit Sajjan, whose handling of the military sexual misconduct crisis has been under criticism. Sajjan has been appointed as Minister of International Development Agency.

The new Cabinet maintains gender balance and has 38 members, up one person from before the election, media said.