Slump in Canada costs ruling party three seats

Canada's ruling Liberal Party, its popularity at a low ebb as it battles the country's worst recession since the 1930s, was the big loser in three parliamentary by-elections Wednesday - all won by opposition party candidates.

Joe Clark's Conservatives took two of the constituencies in Ontario and the third, in Toronto, went to the left-leaning New Democratic Party. The Liberals retain an 11-seat majority in Parliament over the combined opposition strength.