But Chretien, who has the final say on the matter, dismissed the idea of a delay and said the implementation plan could be further worked on after ratification.

"My intention - as long as something unusual doesn't happen - is that we will ratify Kyoto before Christmas," he told reporters in French after a cabinet meeting.

Provincial energy and environment ministers met their federal counterparts in Halifax this week to express concern about how they would meet Canada's Kyoto target of cutting carbon dioxide levels by 6 percent from 1990 levels by 2012.

Ottawa says that, in a worst-case scenario, ratification could cost Canada 240,000 jobs and C$21 billion ($13.5 billion) over a decade.

The provincial ministers called for a special meeting between Chretien and federal premiers before ratification, an idea that does not enthuse Ottawa.

The chief opponent of ratification is Alberta Premier Ralph Klein, who fears it could devastate the emissions-intensive energy industry in his province. In a speech he gave this week, Klein made clear he thought Chretien did not understand the impact Kyoto would have.

"When I try to talk to the prime minister, it is not a very intelligent conversation...I get so frustrated and wrapped up trying to talk to him about this," he said.

Chretien declined to comment on the remarks.