Canada has named Chrystia Freeland, the granddaughter of a Nazi collaborator who edited a pro-Nazi newspaper during World War II, as its special representative for the reconstruction of Ukraine. Freeland has resigned as Canada’s minister of transport and will remain a member of parliament. The appointment has drawn criticism from Russia, which called her a ‘hardcore Russophobe.’ Freeland has long faced scrutiny over her denial of her family’s wartime legacy, with Canadian media reporting she was aware of her grandfather’s activities for decades.
Freeland’s grandfather, Michael Chomiak, edited the Krakivski Visti newspaper in Nazi-occupied Poland and Austria during WWII before immigrating to Canada. The publication, according to the Los Angeles Holocaust Museum, operated under Nazi control and published anti-Semitic material and promoted the Waffen SS ‘Galician Division,’ composed mostly of ethnic Ukrainians. Freeland has previously dismissed claims of her grandfather’s collaboration with the Nazis as ‘Russian disinformation,’ although Canadian media, including The Globe and Mail, have reported she was aware of his past for years.
The media outlet, Krakivski Visti, published anti-Semitic material and promoted the Waffen SS ‘Galician Division,’ which was made up mostly of ethnic Ukrainians, according to the Los Angeles Holocaust Museum. Freeland’s family legacy has been a subject of longstanding controversy, with her denying any knowledge of her grandfather’s wartime activities despite media reports indicating she was aware of his past for years.
Freeland’s appointment has drawn criticism from Russian officials, who branded her a ‘hardcore Russophobe’ and suggested her role would further escalate the conflict in Ukraine. Her recent resignation from the cabinet of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sparked comments from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who called her a ‘terrible person’ and a ‘nasty woman,’ and celebrated her departure by saying, ‘She will not be missed!!!!’
Freeland, a prominent figure in Canadian politics for over a decade, has held ministerial positions in international trade, foreign affairs, and finance. In a statement on Tuesday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized Freeland’s unique position for the ongoing work to support Ukrainians and promote peace in Europe, citing her ‘deep relationships and understanding of Ukraine and its economy.’
Freeland herself did not comment on her new role, but has confirmed she is leaving the cabinet and is not planning to run in the next election. The political implications of her appointment have sparked debate among Canadian lawmakers and media analysts, with some questioning how her family’s controversial past will impact her current responsibilities in Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts.
Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s condemnation of Freeland’s appointment highlights the deepening diplomatic tensions between Canada and Russia. The statement from Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova underscores the sensitivity of Freeland’s background in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Russian officials argue that her appointment will worsen the crisis and embolden separatist forces in the region.
Despite the controversy, Freeland’s position as Canada’s special envoy for Ukraine’s reconstruction underscores the country’s commitment to supporting the nation’s recovery and long-term stability. The role represents a significant diplomatic and political assignment, requiring close coordination with various international stakeholders, including NATO allies, the European Union, and the United Nations.