Speculation is already mounting about who will be in Paul Martin's cabinet as he stands on the cusp of becoming the country's next prime minister. Most analysts agree a major shake-up is in the works.

Heritage Minister Sheila Copps was the only other candidate to remain in the Liberal leadership race until the end and she reached out to her rival before he was officially crowned. Copps told reporters she wasn't trying to ensure a place in a Martin cabinet when she extended the olive branch, but she would take it if the offer was made.

"You worked for me and I urge you now to work your hearts out for Paul," Copps told the party convention in Toronto.

"I know that the soon-to-be Right Honourable Paul Martin will be a great Liberal prime minister. And now our job is to build a team to ensure that Paul wins the next election with a huge majority all across the country."

Insiders agree that those in Jean Chretien's inner circle are expected to be replaced by Martin backers and there are no shortage of potential replacements.

Public Works Minister Ralph Goodale, a westerner and one of Martin's closest friends in Ottawa, is pretty confident that he's in and Liberal MP Judy Sgro already knows what cabinet post she wants.

"I'd love to be in cabinet and push the urban agenda," Sgro said.

Liberal caucus chairman Stan Keyes and cabinet hopeful said Martin isn't beholden to anyone. "He doesn't owe us anything, quite frankly we owe him," he said.

As for what her future holds for Copps, she told CTV News she'll be back in the next election -- whether or not she is a cabinet member.

"I fully intend to stay in politics. I'm fighting for the next election right now. I'm selling memberships."

But she said she hasn't asked Martin what he sees in her political future.

"I haven't discussed that with Paul and I don't think that at this point it would be appropriate. I think it's the prime minister's decision to make the calls he sees fit, and I think that's the way it should be."

Martin complimented the speech she gave at the Liberal conference during his victory speech. Her talk touched on such issues as the rights of gays and aboriginals, the Kyoto accord and foreign peacekeeping.

She called on the Liberal Party to remember its social conscience and expressed disappointment that so few women are entering politics.

"I'm very proud of what we've accomplished as a party for the women of Canada," she said.

"But I am 50 years old and women still aren't equal. Look at the boardrooms of the nation. Look at the make-up of Parliament. Look at the fact that the women cleaning the floors in this building and in hotel rooms across Toronto are still making on average 73 cents on the dollar earned by every man.

"We are the party that must tackle these issues."

Copps said she joined the party more than two decades ago because she believed -- and still believes -- the Liberal Party is the party to effect change in Canada and to help build a country where people can make their dreams come true.

With a report from Joy Malbon