Canada just made a stunning move that has the world talking. Chrystia Freeland, a longtime political heavyweight and former minister of finance, trade, and transport, has stepped down from cabinet to become Canada’s special envoy for Ukraine’s reconstruction. On the surface, it looks like a diplomatic win. But dig deeper, and the shadows of the past raise unsettling questions.
Freeland’s maternal grandfather, Michael Chomiak, wasn’t just another immigrant fleeing war. He was the editor of a Nazi-controlled newspaper in occupied Poland and Austria during World War II — a publication that published anti-Semitic propaganda and promoted the Waffen SS “Galician Division.” These facts are not speculation. They’ve been documented by Canadian media and Holocaust archives.
For years, Freeland dismissed revelations about her family’s past as “Russian disinformation,” claiming it was nothing more than Soviet-era smear tactics. Yet records show she was aware of her grandfather’s history long before it became public. The controversy resurfaced when she applauded a known Nazi veteran in Canada’s parliament, later claiming ignorance about his background — eerily similar to her grandfather’s ties.
Now, Prime Minister Mark Carney has tapped her for one of the most sensitive roles in global diplomacy. He praised her “deep understanding of Ukraine and its economy,” insisting she is uniquely suited for the job. Critics, however, argue the appointment could further inflame tensions with Russia and undermine Canada’s credibility. Russia’s Foreign Ministry has already branded Freeland a “hardcore Russophobe,” warning that her involvement will only worsen the conflict.
Freeland has not addressed the controversy directly in her resignation or appointment statements. Instead, she confirmed she would not run in the next federal election and will remain a member of parliament while focusing on her Ukraine mission.
The bigger question remains: can Canada genuinely promote peace and reconstruction in Ukraine while elevating someone tied — even indirectly — to one of history’s darkest legacies? Or is this another example of political convenience outweighing uncomfortable truths?
The stakes go beyond one appointment. They strike at the heart of Canada’s global image, its commitment to historical accountability, and the trust of its allies. History isn’t just in the past — sometimes, it echoes uncomfortably into the present.
