Former Liberal cabinet minister Chrystia Freeland has announced her decision to resign as a member of Parliament this Friday, signaling a significant shift for the party. The prominent MP revealed on Monday that she will be taking on a voluntary position advising Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and will be stepping away from Canadian politics in the near future.
In a social media post just two days later, Freeland confirmed her departure from Parliament, expressing her commitment to supporting Canada and advocating for the people of Ukraine, a cause she has been dedicated to throughout her life. With Ukrainian roots, Freeland served as deputy prime minister from 2019 to 2024 and made history as Canada’s first female finance minister. She has been a vocal critic of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Representing the University-Rosedale constituency in downtown Toronto since 2015, Freeland faced calls from the Conservatives to resign immediately due to concerns over potential conflicts of interest. The opposition party raised issues about her acceptance of a role advising a foreign government while holding a parliamentary seat.
While Canadian public office holders are prohibited from certain activities under the Conflict of Interest Act, such as outside employment and paid consulting, the Act does not explicitly address advising a foreign government. Freeland stated that she consulted with the federal ethics commissioner and followed his guidance in this matter.
Initially planning to resign before assuming the advising role with President Zelenskyy, Freeland’s timeline was accelerated by the Ukrainian side. Prime Minister Mark Carney was informed of the opportunity by Freeland on December 24, after Zelenskyy’s request during her visit to Ukraine on December 22.
Upon her official resignation, a by-election will be triggered for the Toronto seat traditionally held by Liberals. Freeland’s departure marks the end of an era as she played a crucial role in the Liberal Party under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, particularly in trade negotiations and economic management during challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Freeland’s future plans include relocating to the United Kingdom to assume the position of CEO at the Rhodes Trust educational charity, starting on July 1.