The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s former Deputy Prime Minister, embodied her new role as a special advisor to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky by offering an impassioned argument for Ukraine’s war efforts during her delivery of the 2026 Bell Lecture on May 6 at ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University. 

“Ukraine is not a helpless victim, but a shield and arsenal,” said Freeland, describing Ukraine’s ability to hold off a Russian invasion into greater Europe. â€œThe people are highly motivated by patriotism to defend themselves, their families, their values, and their independence.” 

Freeland took on the role as an unpaid advisor on economic development to Ukraine in January 2026. She will continue in that role when, in July 2026, she becomes the CEO of the Rhodes Trust. Previously, Freeland served as a Member of Parliament for 11 years, as well as Minister of International Trade, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Finance.  

She highlighted the roots of Ukraine’s strength in her lecture: a strong democracy, a patriotic mindset and a burgeoning grassroots weapons industry.  

When the war began in 2022, Ukraine faced Russia’s larger army and greater weaponry. In response, Ukraine’s military began creating relatively cheap drones to destroy vehicles and kill combatants. Freeland gave examples of grassroots drone inventors, some working out of their kitchen.  

“Ukraine has the capacity to produce 7 million drones a year,” said Freeland. â€œThere is a very close relationship between the people who are designing and producing weapons and the people who are fighting. That has created an incredibly rapid innovation cycle.” 

She credits that motivation to a mindset not of victimhood, but of national pride. Freeland remembered calling Ukrainian family members early in the war, offering them the opportunity to come to Canada. 

“We asked them if they wanted to come to Edmonton, Winnipeg or Toronto. And one of my great-aunts said, ‘Thank you very much but we’re staying. We aren’t going to flee when our country needs us.” 

Freeland also emphasized that Ukraine’s strength and its success rests on its commitments to liberal democracy. 

Freeland tied that interpretation to a call for more financial and military support for Ukraine from Western countries. As the war passes the four-year mark, Freeland is optimistic for Ukraine’s future. 

“A lot of people— smart people, well-informed people—thought Ukraine was finished and should surrender. The only place I didn’t hear that was Ukraine,” she noted. â€œWe are going to win. We don’t know how, we don’t know when, but we’re going to win.” 

The Dick, Ruth and Judy Bell Lecture is held each spring to  honour the contributions of individuals to the political and public life of Canada. It was established by the late Ruth Bell, a ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ political science alumna and philanthropist.  

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The Honourable Lisa Raitt described 2025 as “a hinge moment in history” as she spoke of Canada’s future in an oft-times personal speech at the Dick, Ruth and Judy Bell Lecture on May 6, 2025 at the ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ Dominion Chalmers Centre. 

Raitt drew on her extensive experience as a Conservative cabinet minister, as well as her work in investment banking to address the evening’s topic: “Canada at a Crossroads: Navigating an Uncertain Future.” 

With the economic threat posed by U.S. tariffs, and the unexpected resurgence of the Liberal Party in the recent federal election, Lisa Raitt outlined the challenges Canada is facing. 

“From urban to rural ridings, Canadians are asking where we are going. There’s a sense of urgency, but also possibility,” she said. “We are facing geopolitical volatility as well as rising home prices, an outdated tax system, and a growing feeling that we are drifting.” 

Even as a leader in global investment banking at CIBC, Raitt remains passionate about public policy. She has joined with former Liberal cabinet minister Anne McLelland to create the to strengthen the economic foundations of Canadian society. 

Raitt also shared personal reflections with the audience, largely comprised of students, faculty, community members and alumni. She reassured students that “after failure comes success”, describing her challenges as she started out in the job market and after her loss in Parliament in 2019. 

Lisa Raitt was introduced by Brenda O’Neill, Dean of the Faculty of Public Affairs. ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ President Wisdom Tettey also gave remarks. Josh Greenberg, FPGA Associate Dean (Research & Graduate), was the emcee. Political Science Professor Jonathan Malloy, the Bell Chair for Parliamentary Democracy, led the Q and A. 

The annual Dick, Ruth and Judy Bell Lecture was established by Ruth Bell, a ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ political science alumna. It honours the contributions of individuals to the political and public life of Canada, across all parties and levels of government. 

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By Eddie Benhin 

Hundreds of people from all backgrounds packed the ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University Dominion-Chalmers Centre in downtown Ottawa to hear NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh speak about maintaining optimism during a difficult period and how we can move forward as a nation.   

Singh’s family played a significant role in getting him started in the political world, and he still takes these family lessons with him wherever he goes.  

“Why do I care? It’s a foundational belief. My mom taught me that we are all one. There is a tradition of selfless service. If people around us are hurting, we are also hurting”.  

Singh called for people to be more loving to those whom they disagree with and explained how that’s how we will move forward together.   

Singh also acknowledged the economic struggles many Canadians are facing and pointed out that “behind every bill you pay is a CEO making lots of money.”   

Singh proceeded to list a few facts that struck home with many in the audience: The cost of groceries has outpaced general inflation for 25 months, and food prices are the highest since 1989. Rent is increasing four times faster than wages, and corporate landlords are buying up buildings. He then explained how it’s the job of the government to stop corporations from ripping us off, which he points out hasn’t happened.

During this period, Jagmeet Singh took the opportunity to discuss various NDP proposals and presented anecdotes and testimonials from Canadian citizens who have experienced positive outcomes from recent NDP initiatives, including pharmacare. The audience responded with enthusiastic applause throughout this segment, particularly when Singh expressed his ambition not only to participate but to become the next Prime Minister, potentially the first from the NDP party in Canada.

Finally, Singh turned to the speech’s title: Chardi Kala. “Chardi Kala means rising spirits in the face of hopeless odds,” Singh explained. This was a fitting message that helped spin a new outlook on all the issues discussed throughout the evening. Singh ended the talk with a powerful message: “When I was first running for Parliament, then-NDP Leader Jack Layton told me, Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.”   

After the lecture, Singh was surrounded by audience members who were eager to share a few words.   

Meeting with Students and Alumni  

After the lecture, we met with a few Students and Alumni and a number of them expressed their appreciation for Singh’s  proposals and understanding of real-life problems. 

“I found it endearing to see a public figure really care about the same issues”, said one audience member.  

Another said their biggest takeaway was “Chardi Kala and being able to stand up to adversity and being optimistic for a better future not only for Canada but for the entire world”  

One of our graduate students added: â€œIt’s such an advantage to meet people like Jagmeet Singh who could be a prime minister. It’s really beneficial to host events like this where you meet new people and gain network connections.  That’s really important for young people and their future careers.”  

The Faculty of Public and Global Affairs would like to extend its appreciation to the faculty, staff and volunteers who helped put on this fantastic event and to Jagmeet Singh and his office for sharing such an important message and teaching everyone what Chardi Kala means.