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The G8 won't set fixed mid-term targets for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions by 2020 when it meets in Japan next week, Environment Minister John Baird says.

European leaders and environmentalists have pressed for the G8 to emulate Europe's target of reducing emissions by 20 per cent from their 1990 levels by 2020.

But Mr. Baird, speaking to reporters as a government jet stopped today to pick up Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Calgary, said it won't happen at this meeting. Focus on the 2020 targets will come at a UN climate-change conference in 2009.

"I think that will be done in Copenhagen next year," he said.

But Mr. Baird insisted that meetings of the 17 largest economies, held during the G8 summit, will allow opportunity for an exchange of views that could create momentum for a deal in Copenhagen.

" If we can have a good exchange of views, a good dialogue with the 17 largest economies in addition to the G8 meeting, I think that will be helpful."

Mr. Baird noted several countries have called for different 2020 targets.

Canada has said it will reduce emissions by 20 per cent from their 2006 levels — but environmental analysts say that translates into a cut of about 3 per cent from 1990 levels, because emissions rose sharply between 1990 and 2006.

Mr. Baird noted that Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, in a recent speech, mentioned a target of 14 per cent from 2005 levels. And a group of U.S. senators has called for a 15 per cent cut from 2005 levels, although the administration of President George W. Bush has not set any targets.

Canada is seeking to avoid being isolated with the United States at the G8, and insists it will play a bridge-building role between Europe and the US. Mr. Harper has insisted developing countries like China and India be included in any new climate change treaty, while Europe wants developed countries to take the lead.

On another matter, Mr. Baird took exception to recent remarks of Liberal MP Garth Turner on his blog. "You might not agree with everything (Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion) says, but you have to admire this about him. He stood up once to the self-aggrandizing, hostile, me-first, greedy, macho, selfish and balkanizing separatist losers in Quebec. I guess he can do it again in Alberta," Mr. Turner posted. "Not that there are any similarities."

In an interview, the MP said he was trying to make the point that Mr. Dion has the guts to stand up to the Alberta oil patch on climate change. "Did I go too far? Maybe I did."

In Calgary to take in the Stampede festivities and defend his controversial carbon-tax proposal, Mr. Dion was apologetic for his MP's comments. "He retracted, and it's not something we want to do. We want to have a respectful debate," he said.

Mr. Baird said Mr. Turner's remarks were nevertheless outrageous.

"These comments are mean-spirited, nasty, divisive, and frankly don't reflect well on someone who's a member of Stéphane Dion's inner team," Mr Baird said.

He said comparing Albertans to Quebec separatists is likely to scare away those not already alienated by his carbon-tax plan. And he said it dredges up old disputes in a divisive way.

"It's quite outrageous and regrettable," Mr. Baird said. "It's not the way to unify the country."