MP Chrystia Freeland during question period in June, 2025. Freeland was named the new CEO of the Rhodes Trust and will start the full-time, Oxford-based job in July, 2026.Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press
Chrystia Freeland will remain Canada’s special envoy for the reconstruction of Ukraine when she starts a new job at the prestigious Rhodes Trust, says the Prime Minister’s Office.
Ms. Freeland, who left Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet in September to become Ukraine envoy, has been appointed the chief executive officer of the Oxford-based organization that administers one of the world’s oldest and most celebrated international scholarships.
“The Rhodes Trust is an eminent global institution, and she will thrive as its CEO, while continuing her important work towards a better future for Ukrainians and peace in Europe,” said PMO in a statement issued Saturday.
The statement comes amid questions about an expected departure from politics of one of the most prominent members of former prime minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinets.
Over Mr. Trudeau’s decade-long run in government, Ms. Freeland held top cabinet jobs at Finance, Foreign Affairs, International Trade and served as deputy prime minister.
Ms. Freeland’s abrupt resignation in 2024, hours before she was expected to deliver the Liberal government’s budget, triggered a political crisis that eventually led to Mr. Trudeau’s resignation.
She was appointed minister of transport and internal trade in Mr. Carney’s minority government after the Liberals narrowly won the April 28 election.
Through it all, Ms. Freeland has remained the Liberal MP for the Toronto riding of University-Rosedale. If she were to resign from Parliament, it could present a challenge to the Carney government, which is two seats shy of a majority.
Ms. Freeland has yet to comment on her political future.
Her new job, which begins on July 1, 2026, is a full-time position based in Oxford, a spokesperson for the Rhodes Trust said earlier this week, noting that some aspects of the position are still being worked out.
Ms. Freeland studied at Oxford as a Rhodes scholar in 1991.
As a Ukraine envoy, Ms. Freeland is tasked with working with Ukrainian and Canadian political and business leaders on a plan to rebuild the war-torn country’s economy.
Prior to entering politics, Ms. Freeland worked as a journalist for several publications, including The Globe, where she served as deputy editor.