Canadian Politician Becomes Ukraine Envoy, Leaving Cabinet

Chrystia Freeland has been a Liberal Member of Parliament in Canada since 2015. In 2020, she became the country's first female finance minister.

On Tuesday, Canadian minister and MP Chrystia Freeland announced that she will step down from Prime Minister Mark Carney's cabinet and will not seek re-election. Instead, she will take on a new role as Canada's special envoy to Ukraine, as announced by Carney.

Freeland has been a prominent figure in Canadian politics since 2015, holding positions such as former finance and foreign affairs minister, as well as deputy prime minister. She is recognized for her role in former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation after leaving his cabinet abruptly last year.

In a post on X, Freeland shared her decision to resign with gratitude and a hint of sadness, stating, "I have decided to step down from cabinet today and turn the page on this chapter in my life. I do not intend to run in the next election."

Carney expressed his appreciation for Freeland's service in the Canadian federal government over the past decade. He appointed her as Canada's new Special Representative for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, in addition to her role as a Liberal MP.

Freeland, a former journalist of Ukrainian descent, has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. She was placed on a Kremlin list in 2014 in response to sanctions against Moscow. Earlier this year, Canada pledged an additional C$2 billion in military aid to Ukraine.

In 2020, Freeland made history as the first woman to serve as Canada's finance minister, overseeing the country's financial response to the Covid-19 pandemic. She resigned from the position in December 2024, criticizing Trudeau for "costly political gimmicks" and differences in the country's direction.

Freeland played a key role in renegotiating the free trade agreement between Canada, the US, and Mexico during President Trump's first term. The deal, known as USMCA in the US and CUSMA in Canada, helped Canada avoid high tariffs imposed by Trump.

In her statement on X, Freeland emphasized that her decision to resign was not driven by personal reasons but rather a continued commitment to public service. She encouraged more Canadian women to engage in elected politics for the benefit of themselves and their families.