Ukraine's Zelenskyy says he's appointed Liberal MP Chrystia Freeland as an economic adviser
CBC
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Liberal MP Chrystia Freeland as an economic development adviser, citing her experience in attracting investment.
The new role, announced Monday, is renewing questions about when the longtime MP will step down, which would trigger a byelection in a minority Parliament.
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.
"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 defense if, because of delays by our partners, it takes longer to bring this war to an end," Zelenskyy wrote on X Monday.
Freeland already serves as Canada's special representative for the reconstruction of Ukraine.
A source close to Freeland said Zelenskyy asked her to take on the new role on Dec. 22 while she was in Ukraine, and she told Prime Minister Mark 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.
It's unclear whether Freeland will continue to serve in the special representative role as well along with her new advisory role.
The Ukraine position is not full time and is unpaid, the source said.
In September Freeland announced she was stepping down from cabinet, but she still represents the Toronto riding of University—Rosedale. Freeland has not formally announced any plan to resign as a member of Parliament.
In November, she was named the incoming CEO of the Rhodes Trust, an Oxford, England-based educational charity. Freeland's office confirmed she would move to the United Kingdom for the gig, which starts July 1.
The source close to Freeland said more news on her plans to leave politics is coming "very soon," but no date has been set.
The Conservatives are calling for her swift resignation.
"One cannot be a Canadian MP and an adviser to a foreign government," said Conservative foreign affairs critic MP Michael Chong. "She must do one or the other.
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