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Longtime Liberal Chrystia Freeland says she’ll step down as a member of Parliament in the “coming weeks” after accepting a new role advising Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“Ukraine is at the forefront of today’s global fight for democracy, and I welcome this chance to contribute on an unpaid basis as an economic adviser to [Zelenskyy],” she wrote on social media hours after the president announced her appointment.
“In the coming weeks I will also leave my seat in Parliament. I want to thank my constituents for their years of confidence in me. I am so grateful to have been your representative.”
Freeland, who has Ukrainian ancestry, was deputy prime minister between 2019 and 2024. She has long been one of Canada’s most vocal opponents of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Once official, her resignation will trigger a byelection. Toronto’s University-Rosedale, the seat Freeland has held for a decade, is largely considered a safe riding for the Liberals.
“Right now, Ukraine needs to strengthen its internal resilience — both for the sake of Ukraine’s recovery if diplomacy delivers results as swiftly as possible, and to reinforce our defence if, because of delays by our partners, it takes longer to bring this war to an end,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.
A source close to Freeland said Zelenskyy asked her to take on the voluntary advisory role on Dec. 22 while she was in Ukraine, and she told Carney about the request on Christmas Eve.
The source, who spoke on the condition they not be named because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly, said Freeland made the case that the new job is a continuation of the work she has been doing and that she sees it as good for both Canada and Ukraine.
In September 2025, Freeland announced she was leaving the federal cabinet and would not reoffer in the next federal election. The same day, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Freeland would be Canada’s new special representative for the reconstruction of Ukraine.
In her statement on Monday, Freeland said she would now “step aside” from that role.
Freeland’s office previously confirmed that she will soon be moving to the United Kingdom for her new job as CEO of the Rhodes Trust educational charity, which starts July 1.
In his own statement, Carney thanked his one-time leadership rival for her work as Canada’s special representative to Ukraine.
“You are uniquely qualified for this important new role,” the prime minister wrote on social media. “It is a further credit to Canada’s steadfast support for Ukraine that a Canadian is taking on this role at this crucial moment for Ukraine’s future.”
Conservatives called on Freeland to step down
The Conservatives had upped the pressure earlier Monday, calling for Freeland’s swift resignation.
“One cannot be a Canadian MP and an adviser to a foreign government,” said Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong earlier Monday. “She must do one or the other.
“She should resign as adviser or as MP for University-Rosedale.”
Public office holders in Canada are barred from a number of activities under the Conflict of Interest Act, including engaging in outside employment and paid consulting. It does not include specific language about advising a foreign government.
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office said Freeland consulted with the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner “to ensure that this transition is made in full compliance with her obligations and responsibilities” as an MP.
A spokesperson for the commissioner wouldn’t comment on any dealings with Freeland, citing confidentiality restrictions.
In 2024, Parliament passed a law requiring those acting on behalf of foreign states to register with the federal government within 14 days of entering an agreement or face hefty penalties — but the office is not up and running yet.
The source said Zelenskyy would like Freeland to organize an international advisory council on the reconstruction of Ukraine.
Carney pledges $2.5B for Ukraine
Freeland’s appointment comes as Carney heads to Paris to meet with other allies in a bid to end the war.
Late last month, Carney announced a $2.5-billion package of loans and debt suspension for Ukraine. It brought Canada’s total commitment in military, humanitarian and economic assistance since Russia’s 2022 invasion to more than $23.5 billion.
Zelenskyy said last week that after weeks of U.S.-led diplomacy, including talks with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida, a peace agreement was “90 per cent ready.” Zelenskyy has said over the past month that Ukrainian and U.S. officials have worked on several documents related to postwar reconstruction and investment.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met on Saturday in Halifax to discuss economic aid amid the Russia-Ukraine war. This comes ahead of Zelenskyy’s plans to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss a peace deal.
Taras Kachka, Ukraine deputy prime minister, said on Saturday that international partners have reached consensus on an economic support package of about $800 billion US for Ukraine over the next decade.
The package is based on calculations by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the European Union, and would cover damage compensation, reconstruction and economic stability and a $200-billion US growth “booster,” Kachka said.
Carney heads to Paris as allies discuss security guarantees for Ukraine
Zelenskyy’s year-end message: Ukraine won’t sign ‘weak’ deal that only prolongs war with Russia
Freeland has roiled Russia in the past.
She was one of a number of Canadian officials subjected to retaliatory sanctions imposed by Vladimir Putin’s government in 2014, the year Russia annexed Crimea.
After Putin invaded Ukraine in 2022, she was a leading proponent among Ukraine’s allies for freezing some Russian assets.
Source: cbc
