Trudeau extends deadline on constitution hearings

The government of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau has bowed to opposition pressure and extended the deadline of the special committee on the constitution by two months, to Feb. 6. The committee is holding public hearings on Mr. Trudeau's plan to repatriate Canada's constitution from Britain, a move provincial leaders fear will be accompanied by changes in the power balance which would tilt in Ottawa's favor. The extension was part of an all-party agreement after weeks of intense negotiations and criticism from a variety of influential groups that the original deadline of next Tuesday was inadequate.