Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing the biggest test of his political career following the resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, long one of his most powerful and loyal minis

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

Freeland cited conflict with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over the direction of fiscal policy.