The Heritage Minister and MP for Hamilton East said she met with Liberal leader Paul Martin Saturday to discuss her future and refused his offer of an unspecified appointment.

She said he told her she was a "very valuable member of the Liberal Party but that there just wasn't room for me in cabinet."

Martin and his new cabinet ministers will be sworn in tomorrow. Those offered cabinet posts will be called today.

While both Copps's fellow Hamilton MPs -- Stan Keyes and Tony Valeri -- are strong contenders for cabinet positions, Copps will sit as a backbench MP. "I told him I'm not interested in an appointment. Full stop. Period," Copps said.

Copps said she turned down the offer before she found out what kind of appointment it was.

"It's not my cup of tea. I love the job as Member of Parliament and there's many mountains to climb."

Without Copps, tomorrow's swearing-in ceremony represents a significant power shift in Hamilton. Copps has been the city's voice at the federal cabinet table for a decade. She also served as deputy prime minister and environment minister. Source.

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