Are the Conservatives slowly thawing their heated opinions on climate change? There are signs that Canada’s Environment Minister Rona Ambrose and the Harper Conservatives may be changing their tune, albeit very slightly. According to today’s Globe and Mail Ambrose stated that, “she would support spending federal money on such [Kyoto carbon] credits if they could be verified by a third party and counted toward the government’s Kyoto targets.” It’s something, I guess.

But this news does come on the heels of yet another blunder yesterday by the waried Minister at the helm of Canada’s climate change policy. In a heated debate yesterday on the issue of Canada’s obligation to the Kyoto Accord, Ms. Ambrose repeatedly claimed that Canada had no unpaid debts to the international Kyoto system, even though MPs said United Nations documents show that – at $1.5-million – Canada owes more than any other country. Her Assistant Deputy Minister eventually spoke up to confirm that in fact the Minister was incorrect and that Canada still had an outstanding debt.

“I’m increasingly concerned in terms of the briefings you’re getting on some of the critical issues,” NDP MP Nathan Cullen.