OTTAWA, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Canada's longtime Liberal minister Chrystia Freeland announced on Tuesday she is stepping down from cabinet.

In a post on her social media account, the transport and internal trade minister said her departure is to make way for others and to seek fresh challenges for herself.

Prime Minister Mark Carney responded on X, saying that he has asked her to serve as Canada's new special representative for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Freeland has held several key cabinet portfolios since the Liberals regained power in 2015, including deputy prime minister, finance minister, and foreign minister. ■