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Tom Canada wasn't sure what to do last night: leave Winnipeg, head to Hamilton or go home to California and surf.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers' import defensive end was left shaken and confused after being traded to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for import middle linebacker Zeke Moreno, the CFL's leading tackler.

The deal was designed to upgrade the two worst teams in the CFL, but Canada, a fifth-year Blue Bomber and fan favourite, wasn't certain he'd report to the Ticats, who also received the rights to non-import defensive lineman Corey Mace, a Buffalo Bills practice player.

"I don't know where I stand, where my head is, where my heart is, where anything is at this moment," Canada told Winnipeg radio station CJOB. "It's hard to say what I'll do. I can't even talk right now. My brain is so mixed up with so many emotions."

The Blue Bombers decided to move Canada in the wake of Sunday's disappointing 34-31 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Although a strong pass rusher the past three seasons, Canada had tailed off this year, recording fewer tackles and just three sacks.

But the deal may hit a snag. Bombers general manager Brendan Taman said late last night that, "Tom isn't medically right. There are problems that could affect his playing.

"[The deal] was agreed to and signed off on but it's not fair for Hamilton to get a player that's not medically able to play."

Canada, who was a free agent this year before opting to re-sign in Winnipeg, said he hadn't been playing up to par. "If that's what warranted the trade, I'll take full responsibility for my play up to this point."

The Ticats decided to move Moreno in the wake of Saturday's disappointing 35-12 loss to the B.C. Lions, a defeat that also cost head coach Charlie Taaffe his job. Although a steady middle linebacker, Moreno had struggled this season playing behind a poor defensive front. In Winnipeg, he will replace linebacker Barrin Simpson, who was lost to injury in July.

Winnipeg had been expected to challenge for the East Division lead this season after reaching the Grey Cup game last November. Instead, the Blue Bombers have sputtered and nosedived to a 2-8 record as club officials have scrambled to correct the situation.

So far, starting quarterback Kevin Glenn has been benched, backup Ryan Dinwiddie has started and star running back Charles Roberts was traded to B.C. for power back Joe Smith. Trading Canada is another shakeup and opens the door for import Kai Ellis, who was signed by Winnipeg yesterday as a free-agent defensive end.

"I've bled blue and gold for quite some time here," Canada said. "I made a decision to come back here after testing the free-agent market. … I've talked to family and friends. All I've got to focus on is what's best for me."

Mace, from Port Moody, B.C., was the Blue Bombers' first-round draft pick last year, but signed with Buffalo of the NFL.