The stunning move raised questions about how much longer the prime minister of nearly 10 years — whose popularity has plummeted due to concerns about inflation and immigration — can stay on.

The abrupt resignation of Canada's finance minister leaves the government adrift less a month before the inauguration of a new U.S. administration that could impose crippling sanctions on Canadian exports.

Canada’s Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said she was quitting the Liberal government cabinet, citing conflict with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over the direction of fiscal policy.