Canada's choice of Russia critic as top diplomat seen as a bold move

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes part in a news conference on Parliament Hill following a cabinet shuffle in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, January 10, 2017. REUTERS/Chris Wattie

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's appointment of an outspoken Russia critic currently under sanctions from Moscow is a bold move by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as he seeks to improve strained relations between the two countries.

Chrystia Freeland, who is of Ukrainian descent and fluent in Russian, was made Canada's top diplomat on Tuesday as part of the first major cabinet shuffle of Trudeau's 14-month-old Liberal government.