Canada pushing for climate deal: Prentice

Violent protests and deadlocked talks await Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Copenhagen as negotiators try to finalize a climate deal.

Environment Minister Jim Prentice told CBC News on Wednesdaythat negotiators have been working "night and day" to tryto put together an agreement that can be presented to world leaders when they arrive Thursday at the United Nations summit.

Harperfaces heavy criticism from developing countries and environmentalists who accusethe Canadiangovernment of failing to make concessions to help reach a deal.

But Prentice said Wednesday that Canadas position isnt limiting negotiations.

"Canadas position is that we will reduce our emissions by 20 per cent by 2020," Prentice said. "That position by Canada is not the issue that is a barrier at this point in time."

Prentice called on the Danish hosts to pull countries together to create a draft text that could help push negotiations forward.

"Were here to negotiate. We want to see a deal, but we have to have a process that we can move forward with and time is passing by," Prentice said.

He also said that documents obtained by CBC News that suggest that the Tories want to harmonize their approach to cutting greenhouse gases with that of the United States and have considered allowing weaker targets for the oil and gas sector do not represent government policy.

Police detain protesters at climate summit

Meanwhile, turmoil erupted Wednesday both inside and outside the conference in the Danish capital.

Police used batons and tear gas to break up demonstrations meant to disrupt the conference.

A police spokesman said about 230 activists were detained after they tried to get through the security perimeter around the Bella Centre, the suburban site where the conference is being held.

Protesters had said they wanted to take over the conference and turn it into a "people's assembly."

Inside the conference, events also appeared to be in upheaval.

With just days left in the summit,Connie Hedegaard, the Danish president of the conference,resigned.She will be replaced byDanish Prime MinisterLars Loekke Rasmussen as the formal head of thetalks.

UN climate chief Yvo de Boer said Hedegaard will continue to lead informal talks.

Also on Wednesday, members of non-government organizationsstaged a walkout from the Bella Centre. Activists, upset with the fact that many NGOs were not granted access to the meeting centre, hoped to disrupt a major plenary sessionwith world leaders.