Liberal Member of Parliament Chrystia Freeland is set to relocate to Oxford, England, next summer to assume a new role overseeing the Rhodes Trust, as confirmed by the educational charity on Thursday. The Rhodes Trust is renowned for its esteemed Rhodes Scholarship program, offering students worldwide the opportunity to study at the University of Oxford. Freeland has been appointed as the CEO of the Rhodes Trust and warden of Rhodes House, a structure situated on the university campus, with her term commencing on July 1.
Babette Littlemore, a spokesperson for the charity, verified that Freeland will be making the move to Oxford for her new responsibilities. While Freeland has not officially announced her resignation from Parliament, she has indicated that she does not plan to seek re-election in the upcoming election.
In a press release by the Rhodes Trust announcing her appointment, Freeland expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to work with her alma mater, stating, “Having personally benefited from a Rhodes Scholarship, I know how deeply transformative and influential it can be on the lives and futures of our scholars. The experience helped shape my international outlook and played a defining role in guiding my subsequent career.” Freeland obtained her degree in Slavonic studies from the University of Oxford in the early 1990s.
Previously serving as the finance minister and deputy prime minister, Freeland was a contender for the leadership of the Liberal Party earlier this year. She eventually lost to Mark Carney, who assumed the role of prime minister in March. Freeland held dual positions in Carney’s cabinet as the internal trade minister and transport minister, spearheading efforts to reduce internal trade barriers in Canada.
Freeland, known for her staunch advocacy for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, played a significant role in leading the international initiative to seize Russian assets for the reconstruction of Ukraine. She resigned from her cabinet roles in September to take on a special assignment representing the Carney government in matters concerning Ukraine’s reconstruction.
With a background in journalism, including work in Kyiv and Moscow for prominent outlets, Freeland has been a vocal advocate on issues of income inequality and oligarchy in post-Soviet nations. She authored books on these topics and has held various editorial roles in Canadian media outlets.
First elected to the House of Commons in 2013, Freeland has been a key figure in Canadian politics, particularly during her tenure as deputy prime minister and finance minister, where she oversaw significant emergency spending during the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout her career, she has been instrumental in trade negotiations and other key policy areas.
Freeland is married to New York Times journalist Graham Bowley and is a mother of two daughters and a son.