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Copps considering switching parties

Sheila Copps, a former Liberal deputy prime minister, is considering defecting to the socialist New Democratic Party.

Copps, who was dropped as a Cabinet minister last month when Paul Martin took over as prime minister from Jean Chretien, has indicated there's a possibility she will switch parties.

"I want to leave all my options open," Copps said, adding, "I never thought that I'd say this ... but if my party can't run a fair and open process, then I will look at other options."

She was referring to a bitter fight for the Liberal nomination in her Hamilton, Ontario, district and is angry that Martin has refused to support her.

Transport Minister Tony Valeri, a Martin supporter, is challenging Copps in the Hamilton-Stoney Creek riding created under redistribution. It combines a chunk of his old riding with Copps' former constituency of Hamilton East.

New Democratic Leader Jack Layton called Martin too conservative for much of his party.

"You have somebody more conservative than Brian Mulroney leading the Liberal Party. It shouldn't even be allowed to be called the Liberal Party anymore," said Layton, who is trying to woo other Liberals.

Extremely cold weather in central and eastern Canada has put power demands at peak capacity.

With single-digit daytime temperatures and minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit at night for several days across Ontario, and wind chills as low as minus 40 in Nova Scotia and the east, utility companies have been importing power from the United States.

Ontario Hydro has been drawing on reserves from Michigan and New York. Nova Scotia Power has also looked south while urging consumers to conserve while trying to stay warm.

Former Ontario Health Minister Tony Clement says he will challenge Stephen Harper, former Canadian Alliance chief, for the leadership of the newly merged federal Conservative Party. Also expected to enter the race is Belinda Stronach, head of her family-run Magna auto parts business.

The family of one of four Canadian soldiers killed by a U.S. pilot in an accidental bombing in Afghanistan will seek $1.85-million in compensation. Dick Murtha, lawyer for the family of Pvt. Richard Green of Nova Scotia, said the suit might not proceed if the U.S. government instead offers compensation known as ex gratia payments often given to Americans in such cases.

Acting on a tip, police discovered Canada's largest and most sophisticated marijuana factory concealed within the sprawling former Molson brewery in Barrie, Ontario. A raid turned up pot worth $30-million, and nine people were arrested at the plant north of Toronto.

Economists predict the Bank of Canada will lower its key interest rate by a quarter-point Tuesday to 2.5 percent, which would drop the prime lending rate to 4.25 percent.

They say the dollar remains strong, the economy is weakening and inflation is low, so a rate cut is needed.

The dollar has taken a hit because of reports showing exports are suffering because of its higher value and a stronger U.S. dollar.

The currency was 76.86 cents U.S. on Friday while the U.S. dollar returned $1.3010 Canadian before bank exchange fees.

On Canadian stock markets, Toronto's composite index was higher at 8,444, while the Canadian Venture Exchange was lower at 1,750 points.

Lotto 6-49: (Wednesday) 1, 7, 12, 24, 44 and 49; bonus 5. (Jan. 10) 13, 16, 18, 21, 32 and 33; bonus 26.

The Ontario government is considering a return of photo radar as a revenue generator as it fights a $5.6-billion deficit, says Premier Dalton McGuinty. The new Liberal government later said its goal would be "to improve highway safety; it's not going to be about a money grab."

Alberta Liberal Leader Ken Nicol says he will switch to federal politics. Nicol will seek the Liberal nomination in Lethbridge, now represented by Alliance member Rick Casson.

Environmentalists are calling for a full public assessment of the proposed $5-billion Mackenzie Valley pipeline. The 720-mile pipeline proposed by Aboriginal Pipeline Group, Imperial Oil, Shell, Conoco and ExxonMobil would supply gas to be used in recovering oil from the Alberta tar sands.