“I will be stepping aside from my role as the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for the Reconstruction of Ukraine. In the coming weeks I will also leave my seat in Parliament.” Photo: Beth Baisch
Former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada Chrystia Freeland has announced that she has stepped down from her role as the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for the Reconstruction of Ukraine and will be stepping down from Parliament in the coming weeks. This comes after Freeland accepted a role as economic advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
"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 advisor to President Zelensky. In accepting this voluntary position, I will be stepping aside from my role as the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for the Reconstruction of Ukraine. In the coming weeks I will also leave my seat in Parliament. I want to thank my constituents for their years of confidence in me. I am so grateful to have been your representative," she wrote.
Earlier on Monday, Zelensky announced that he had appointed Freeland, who is of Ukrainian descent, as an Advisor on Economic Development.
"Chrystia is highly skilled in these matters and has extensive experience in attracting investment and implementing economic transformations. 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. I am grateful to everyone who is ready to support our state and our engagement with partners. Glory to Ukraine!"
https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2008110048388530683?s=20
After serving under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Freeland ran an unsuccessful campaign to succeed him, being beaten by Mark Carney. She had initially been appointed Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, but stepped down from that role in September.
Carney wrote in response to the news, "Thank you Chrystia for your important work as Special Representative for the Reconstruction of Ukraine. You are uniquely qualified for this important new role. It is a further credit to Canada’s steadfast support for Ukraine that a Canadian is taking on this role at this crucial moment for Ukraine’s future. Canada will continue to stand with Ukraine to ensure a just and lasting peace."
https://twitter.com/MarkJCarney/status/2008301431682441589?s=20
In resigning from being Trudeau’s Deputy PM, Freeland posted a letter that she gave to Trudeau that stated, "It has been the honor of my life to serve in government, working for Canada and Canadians, we have accomplished a lot together. On Friday, you told me you no longer want me to serve as your finance minister, and offered me another position in the cabinet. Upon reflection, I have concluded that the only honest and viable path is for me to resign from the cabinet."
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