Former Liberal cabinet minister Chrystia Freeland has announced her decision to resign as a member of Parliament, bringing an end to her tenure with the party. In a recent development, Freeland has accepted a voluntary position advising Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and disclosed her intention to exit Canadian politics in the upcoming weeks.
In a social media post just two days after accepting the advisory role, Freeland informed that she had notified the Speaker of her plan to vacate her parliamentary seat by the end of the week. She expressed her dedication to supporting Canada and advocating for the people of Ukraine, a cause she has been deeply committed to throughout her life.
Having Ukrainian heritage, Freeland held the position of deputy prime minister from 2019 to 2024 and was the first female finance minister in Canada. She has been a prominent voice against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Representing the University-Rosedale riding in downtown Toronto since 2015, Freeland has been a strong advocate within the Liberal Party.
The Conservative Party has criticized Freeland, urging her immediate resignation due to her new advisory role with a foreign government while serving as a Member of Parliament. The party’s ethics critic, Michael Barrett, raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and questioned whose interests would be prioritized in such a scenario.
While Canadian public officials are restricted from engaging in certain activities under the Conflict of Interest Act, such as external employment and paid consulting, there is no specific provision regarding advising foreign governments. Freeland asserted that she sought guidance from the federal ethics commissioner and adhered to the recommended course of action.
Initial plans indicated that Freeland would resign from her seat before assuming the role of Zelenskyy’s advisor; however, the announcement was expedited by the Ukrainian side. Following a request from Zelenskyy during her visit to Ukraine on December 22, Freeland approached Prime Minister Mark Carney on December 24. Carney had previously appointed her as Canada’s special representative for the reconstruction of Ukraine, a position she will also be relinquishing.
Upon her official resignation, a by-election will be triggered for her Toronto seat, traditionally considered a secure riding for the Liberals. Freeland has played a significant role within the Liberal Party since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s election victory in 2015, contributing notably to trade negotiations and economic management during challenging times. Her resignation from Trudeau’s cabinet in late 2024 paved the way for subsequent changes in leadership.
Freeland’s office has confirmed her upcoming relocation to the United Kingdom to assume the role of CEO at the Rhodes Trust educational charity, commencing on July 1.