Canada's official opposition is demanding immediate action, declaring that "later isn't good enough" for a former Deputy Prime Minister now serving a foreign government.
Conservatives Cite "Active Conflict of Interest"
Deputy Conservative Leader Melissa Lantsman has called on former Liberal cabinet minister Chrystia Freeland to resign her seat in the House of Commons without delay. This demand follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's announcement on January 5, 2026 that he appointed Freeland as an economic advisor to his government.
"We see this as an active conflict of interest," Lantsman told the Toronto Sun on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. "Accepting a role advising a foreign government while remaining a sitting MP and collecting a taxpayer-funded salary is a problem."
Freeland's New Role and Delayed Resignation
President Zelenskyy praised Freeland as "highly skilled" in economic development with "extensive experience" in attracting investment and implementing economic transformations. In response, Freeland stated on social media that the advisory position is voluntary. She committed to stepping down from her role as Prime Minister Mark Carney's Special Representative for the Reconstruction of Ukraine and resigning her parliamentary seat "in the coming weeks."
Lantsman argues this timeline is unacceptable. "(Being an MP) isn't a part-time job, it's a full-time job," she asserted. "It's something that is entrusted in you, and it's not something that's ever compatible with advising another government. You chose this country, you chose to serve your constituents, and you are their only voice in the House of Commons."
Security Concerns and Foreign Influence Registry Debate
The Conservative deputy leader raised significant security and accountability concerns. She noted that Freeland, as a former senior cabinet minister, retains top-level security clearance and continued access to sensitive government information, posing a potential risk.
Lantsman also connected the situation to the ongoing political debate over foreign influence. "Then there's the foreign influence optics in a time with heightened concern over a government that hasn't done anything about a foreign influence registry," she said. "If we had a foreign influence registry, Freeland would have to register."
She criticized Prime Minister Carney for not demanding Freeland's immediate resignation upon learning of the job offer over the holidays, questioning the government's commitment to accountability. Lantsman emphasized the duty to protect the integrity of Canadian institutions, stating, "It's the perception of influence, even when rules may not be technically broken."
The controversy places renewed focus on the long-promised but undelivered foreign agent registry in Canada and tests the boundaries of post-political service for high-profile figures.
