Chrystia Freeland Resigns from Canadian Parliament to Support Ukraine

Post by : Mina Rahman

Chrystia Freeland, the former deputy prime minister of Canada, has announced her intention to resign from Parliament to take on a voluntary role as an economic adviser to Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine.

Freeland will be stepping down from her seat representing Toronto's University–Rosedale constituency, a traditional Liberal stronghold, in the upcoming weeks. In addition to her advisory position, she is slated to lead the Rhodes Trust in July, an organization based in the UK that oversees the illustrious Rhodes Scholarships.

In a social media announcement, Freeland underscored her belief in Ukraine’s central role in the global struggle for democracy and expressed gratitude for the chance to volunteer her expertise. She extended heartfelt thanks to her constituents, reflecting on her time in office as a privilege.

President Zelensky officially confirmed her appointment, highlighting her wealth of experience in economic reform, investment attraction, and international negotiations. His remarks acknowledged that her skills would be crucial for Ukraine’s enduring economic recovery amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.

The news drew criticism from some opposition members, with concerns raised regarding a potential conflict of interest between being a Canadian MP and advising a foreign government. Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong asserted that Freeland needed to choose a single career path, a choice she has now made by leaving Parliament.

Freeland will also relinquish her recent role as Canada’s special representative for the reconstruction of Ukraine. Furthermore, she had previously declared that she would not run for re-election in the forthcoming federal elections.

Having entered Parliament in 2013, Freeland held various prominent cabinet positions, including finance, foreign affairs, and international trade. Her achievements include becoming Canada’s first female finance minister in 2020 and spearheading the country’s financial strategy during the COVID-19 crisis.

She played a pivotal role in renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement with the United States and Mexico, a move that shielded Canada from significant tariff increases during Donald Trump’s administration.

With Ukrainian roots and a former journalist background, Freeland has been an ardent supporter of Ukraine, facing sanctions from Russia in 2014 as a consequence of her advocacy.

Her political journey took a dramatic turn in late 2024 when she resigned from her cabinet position, citing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s inadequate response to potential US tariffs, a situation that subsequently pressured Trudeau to resign.

As Freeland steps away from her parliamentary duties, she closes a significant chapter of her political career to embrace influential international and academic roles.