The Ipsos-Reid poll, commissioned by the western energy-rich province of Alberta which is opposed to Kyoto ratification, showed 45 percent want Ottawa to withdraw from the protocol and develop a solution that fits Canada's needs.

However, another 44 percent backed Prime Minister Jean Chretien's decision to ratify the plan, which would require Canada to cut its emissions by six percent by 2010 from 1990 levels.

Nine percent were undecided about what the government should do and two percent did not respond, according to the poll of 1,000 people released Friday.

Recent polls conducted over the past three months have repeatedly shown that a majority of Canadians (more than 70 percent) supported implementing the protocol.

Chretien has promised to ratify Kyoto before the end of the year despite resistance from some provinces, including Alberta.

Last month, Canada's provincial environment and energy ministers met and agreed to the emission cut goals of Kyoto, but not the manner in which Ottawa was planning to achieve them.

The Ipsos-Reid poll, conducted between October 29 and October 31, carries a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.

SPACE.WIRE