Chrystia Freeland to Leave Canadian Parliament, Advise Ukraine

Canada’s former deputy prime minister, Chrystia Freeland, has said she will resign from Parliament to take on a new role as an unpaid economic adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Freeland stated that she plans to step down from her seat in the House of Commons in the coming weeks. She currently serves as the Member of Parliament for Toronto’s University–Rosedale constituency, a seat traditionally held by the Liberal Party. Alongside her advisory work for Ukraine, she is scheduled to assume leadership of the Rhodes Trust in July, a UK-based educational charity responsible for administering the renowned Rhodes Scholarships.

In a message posted on social media, Freeland described Ukraine as being at the heart of the global fight for democracy and said she was grateful for the opportunity to contribute her expertise on a voluntary basis. She also expressed sincere thanks to her constituents for their continued support, calling her years of service as their representative a great honour.

President Zelensky confirmed her appointment separately, noting her extensive experience in economic reform, attracting investment, and conducting international negotiations. He said her background would be an important asset for Ukraine’s long-term economic recovery and development as the country continues to face war with Russia.

The announcement drew criticism from opposition politicians, who argued that holding the roles of Canadian MP and adviser to a foreign government simultaneously would represent a conflict of interest. Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong said she needed to choose between the two positions. Freeland’s decision to leave Parliament effectively resolves those concerns.

She will also resign from her recent role as Canada’s special representative for Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts. Last year, Freeland had already announced that she would not seek re-election in the next federal contest.

Elected to Parliament in 2013, Freeland went on to hold several senior cabinet portfolios, including finance, foreign affairs, and international trade. In 2020, she made history as Canada’s first female finance minister, leading the country’s financial response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Freeland was also instrumental in renegotiating the North American free trade agreement with the United States and Mexico during Donald Trump’s first term as US president, a deal that later helped shield Canada from steep tariffs on many goods.

A former journalist with Ukrainian roots, Freeland has long been a vocal advocate for Ukraine. In 2014, she was banned from entering Russia as part of Moscow’s retaliation against Western sanctions.

Her political trajectory shifted sharply in late 2024 when she resigned from cabinet and publicly accused then prime minister Justin Trudeau of failing to properly assess the risk posed by potential US tariffs. That move increased pressure on Trudeau and contributed to his eventual departure from leadership.

With her exit from Parliament, Freeland brings an important chapter of her Canadian political career to a close as she moves into prominent international and academic leadership roles.