Chrystia Freeland to Lead Rhodes Trust, Move to Oxford

Chrystia Freeland will assume leadership of the Rhodes Trust next summer, moving to Oxford, England, to oversee one of the world’s most prestigious scholarship programs.

The Rhodes Trust announced Wednesday that Freeland will serve as CEO and Warden of Rhodes House starting July 1, 2026. The organization administers the Rhodes Scholarship, which brings exceptional students from around the world to study at the University of Oxford.

A Rhodes Trust spokesperson confirmed the position is full-time and based in Oxford. However, Freeland has not announced plans to resign as a member of Parliament. Her office did not respond to requests for comment Thursday, and her local Liberal riding association said it had no information about her departure or preparations for a potential byelection.

Freeland was re-elected in April 2025, and her current term could extend until the next federal election, scheduled for no later than October 2029 — more than three years after the Rhodes Trust position begins.

The Prime Minister’s Office said Saturday that Freeland will continue serving as Canada’s special envoy for Ukraine reconstruction even after starting the Rhodes Trust position.

If Freeland resigns from Parliament, it could present challenges for Prime Minister Mark Carney’s minority government, which is two seats short of a majority.

Freeland served in Carney’s cabinet as internal trade minister and transport minister before stepping down in September to take a special role on Ukraine reconstruction matters. In September, she said she did not intend to run in the next federal election, but she has not set a date to resign her seat.

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