Freeland to resign from cabinet, focus on Ukraine
Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland is stepping down from cabinet to pursue a role linked to Ukraine, marking the first major shakeup in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s six-month tenure.
By Walid Tamtam
Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland is stepping down from cabinet to pursue a role linked to Ukraine, marking the first major shakeup in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s six-month tenure.
According to sources that spoke to the National Post, Freeland plans to leave her cabinet position as minister of transport and internal trade on Tuesday.
She is believed to be in line for a senior diplomatic or economic post tied to Ukraine.
Freeland, who is of Ukrainian descent, travelled to Ukraine late last week to take part in a conference titled “How to End the War?” where she moderated a panel on reforms and the fight against corruption.
One source suggested that rather than appointing a new minister, Carney will reassign Freeland’s transport and internal trade responsibilities among his cabinet members.
Carney, who became prime minister six months ago after winning the Liberal leadership following Justin Trudeau’s resignation, is meeting with his cabinet Tuesday morning.
The announcement of Freeland’s departure is scheduled for the afternoon.
Freeland was a central figure in Trudeau’s government and played a pivotal role in the political upheaval that led to his resignation.
Her own resignation as finance minister in December last year dealt the final blow to Trudeau’s leadership and helped clear the way for Carney.
During the Liberal leadership race in March, which she initially intended to win, Freeland declared her own ambitions and even envisioned appointing Carney to her cabinet.