Environment Minister Peter Kent neither confirmed nor denied rumors that Ottawa plans to withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol on December 23.

He said the Conservatives want a new international agreement to reduce greenhouse gases based on previous climate change talks in Cancun and Copenhagen.

International talks are currently taking place in Durban South Africa to extend the life of the Kyoto Protocol due to expire in 2012.  Kent is scheduled to join the negotiations shortly.

A London newspaper is reporting that the British government is working with Canada to fight a European proposal targeting oilsands. The proposal would label fuel from Alberta oilsands as dirtier than conventional sources.

With major oilsands projects in Alberta, Shell and BP lobbied the British government to support Canada against the EU proposal.

Manitoba’s New Democrat MP Pat Martin and Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq were the victims of a fake news release that was sent out yesterday morning.

The news release, attributed to Health Canada, announced a fake new tax return for seniors who shovel their own snow, saying it would improve fitness in seniors.

A response to the release was sent out ten minutes later and signed with Pat Martin’s name.

Kirk Muller will be replacing coach Paul Maurice of the Carolina Hurricanes after being fired for the second time in less than a decade. 

Muller previously coached the Nashville Predators’ AHL affiliate in Milwaukee. He also spent five seasons on the Montreal Canadiens staff.

Muller lead the Canadians to their last Stanley Cup win, made six all-star teams and has played 19 seasons in the NHL.