Canada's former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland has said she will leave parliament to accept a job as adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Freeland said her role as an economic development adviser for Ukraine would be unpaid. In July, she will also take on a position to lead the Rhodes Trust, an educational charity, in the UK. She was elected in 2013, and served in key roles such as finance, foreign affairs, and international trade minister under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
She broke from Trudeau in late 2024, accusing him in a public resignation letter of failing to take the threat of US tariffs seriously, which contributed to his political exit. Freeland posted on X on Monday: '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 [Zelensky].'
She also thanked her constituents for their years of confidence in her and announced her resignation from her seat in Parliament. Earlier on Monday, Zelensky declared on X that Freeland would be taking on the role as adviser, highlighting her 'extensive experience in attracting investment and implementing economic transformations.'
The news prompted calls from opposition politicians for her to step down as MP, with Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong stating that one cannot hold the dual role of a Canadian MP and an adviser to a foreign government.
Freeland has long been a vocal supporter of Kyiv amidst its conflict with Russia, even being placed on a Kremlin list banning her from entering Russia due to her involvement in sanctions. With her rich political history, including serving as Canada’s first female finance minister and aiding in the renegotiation of trade agreements with the US and Mexico, her transition to advising Ukraine marks a significant development in her career.
She broke from Trudeau in late 2024, accusing him in a public resignation letter of failing to take the threat of US tariffs seriously, which contributed to his political exit. Freeland posted on X on Monday: '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 [Zelensky].'
She also thanked her constituents for their years of confidence in her and announced her resignation from her seat in Parliament. Earlier on Monday, Zelensky declared on X that Freeland would be taking on the role as adviser, highlighting her 'extensive experience in attracting investment and implementing economic transformations.'
The news prompted calls from opposition politicians for her to step down as MP, with Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong stating that one cannot hold the dual role of a Canadian MP and an adviser to a foreign government.
Freeland has long been a vocal supporter of Kyiv amidst its conflict with Russia, even being placed on a Kremlin list banning her from entering Russia due to her involvement in sanctions. With her rich political history, including serving as Canada’s first female finance minister and aiding in the renegotiation of trade agreements with the US and Mexico, her transition to advising Ukraine marks a significant development in her career.
