Carney says Freeland decision not tied to minority government

Prime Minister Mark Carney says he did not ask Liberal MP Chrystia Freeland to step down immediately and that the decision has nothing to do with the Liberals governing in a minority. Carney made the comments to reporters in Paris on Jan. 6, on the sidelines of a meeting of the “Coalition of Willing” focused on the terms of a potential peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia.

Questions arose following Freeland’s appointment as an economic adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The appointment was announced on Jan. 5, when Freeland confirmed she would leave her role as Canada’s special envoy for Ukraine’s reconstruction and resign her seat in the House of Commons “in the coming weeks.”

Asked whether the government was holding on to Freeland because of the fragile balance of power in Parliament, Carney replied, “No, absolutely not.” He said Freeland concluded she could be more useful to Ukraine by working directly as an adviser to President Zelensky, and that resigning as an MP was consistent with taking on that role.

In recent weeks, the Liberals have been trying to move closer to a majority by attracting defectors from the Conservative Party. Two Conservative MPs have already crossed the floor, leaving the government just one seat short of a majority. The loss of Freeland, and the potential departure of other veteran Liberal MPs rumored to be headed for diplomatic postings, could temporarily complicate those efforts.

Opposition parties are calling for Freeland’s immediate resignation, arguing that a sitting MP cannot work for a foreign government. Once Freeland formally resigns, the prime minister will announce the date of a byelection in Toronto’s University–Rosedale riding.