The IDA is refuting an article written by Southam News reporter Don Martin. It stated that IDA Chair Terry Salman wrote a letter to the Prime Minister concerning a survey of U.S. analysts regarding the potential impact of the Kyoto Protocol on Canada.

“In fact, no such letter was sent by Mr. Salman, or by anyone else at the IDA,” says the IDA in a prepared statement.”

“The survey was not commissioned or paid for by the IDA, nor did we know of its existence until we were approached to determine whether we would be prepared to participate with other organizations in its dissemination. Furthermore, we had not taken any decision regarding our potential participation. We have never seen the letter described in the article and no such letter was drafted by the IDA. Therefore, we take no responsibility for its content.”

On the other hand, the IDA says it is “prepared to participate in discussions regarding possible public dissemination of the survey results.”