Former Liberal cabinet minister Chrystia Freeland has announced her decision to resign as a member of Parliament on Friday, bringing an end to her tenure with the party. The prominent MP revealed her acceptance of a voluntary advisory role with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this week, signaling her imminent departure from Canadian politics in the near future.
In a social media post just two days after the announcement, Freeland confirmed her intention to vacate her seat by the end of the week. Expressing her commitment to supporting Canada and championing the cause of the Ukrainian people, Freeland, who has Ukrainian roots, emphasized her lifelong dedication to the fight against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Having served as deputy prime minister from 2019 to 2024 and as the first female finance minister in Canada, Freeland has been a prominent figure in Canadian politics. Representing the downtown Toronto constituency of University-Rosedale since 2015, she has been a staunch advocate for Ukraine and its people.
The Conservative Party has criticized Freeland, calling for her immediate resignation due to her acceptance of a position advising a foreign government while continuing to serve as an MP. The party’s ethics critic, Michael Barrett, raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and questioned where her loyalties would lie.
Despite the criticisms, Freeland stated that she sought guidance from the federal ethics commissioner and followed his recommendations. Initially planning to resign before assuming her advisory role with Zelenskyy, the timing was accelerated by the Ukrainian government. Prime Minister Mark Carney had previously appointed Freeland as Canada’s special representative for Ukraine’s reconstruction, a role she will also be relinquishing.
Following her resignation, a by-election will be triggered in the Toronto riding, traditionally a stronghold for the Liberal Party. Freeland’s departure marks the conclusion of her significant contributions to the Liberal Party under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, including her pivotal role in trade negotiations and economic stewardship during challenging times.
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.