Liberals must get serious on foreign interference -- starting with Chrystia Freeland

UPDATE: Freeland has announced she will be resigning.

The National Citizens Coalition (NCC) today calls on the Liberal government to address serious concerns regarding foreign interference in Canadian politics, beginning with the inappropriate appointment of Liberal MP Chrystia Freeland as an economic adviser to the Ukrainian government. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Freeland's appointment today, tasking her with strengthening Ukraine's economic resilience amid its ongoing conflict with Russia.

Regardless of the merits of Ukraine's fight for sovereignty and its defence against Russian incursion, this role raises significant and unprecedented questions about conflicts of interest for a sitting Member of Parliament. Freeland, Canada's formerly disastrous minister of finance and deputy P.M., who remains the MP for University-Rosedale, has not resigned her seat despite resigning from cabinet in September 2025 and taking on other international roles, including as warden of Rhodes House.

Serving a foreign government while holding public office in Canada is unacceptable and undermines the integrity of our democratic institutions.

"This appointment exemplifies why Canada urgently needs a robust foreign agent registry," said NCC President Peter Coleman. "The Liberals have spent years dragging their feet on implementing this critical tool, which was mandated by Parliament in 2024 through Bill C-70 to counter foreign interference. Now, under Prime Minister Mark Carney, they're proposing watered-down regulations with penalties as low as $50 and allowing certain payments to foreign agents to remain hidden. How can Canadians trust a government that weakens protections against foreign influence while one of its own MPs takes on an advisory role for another country?"

Coleman continued: "Freeland must immediately resign her parliamentary seat to avoid any perception of divided loyalties. The Liberals' inaction on foreign interference has already left Canada vulnerable. This is a bad start to the New Year for a group that claims to be different from the last."

The NCC urges the government to strengthen the foreign agent registry without delay and ensure all public officials prioritize Canadian interests above all else.

Peter Coleman is available for comment: [email protected]