Canada's conservatives no on arctic refuge drilling

Polar bear mom and cubs in melting arctic refuge area.

OTTAWA -- In contrast to many conservatives in the US, conservatives in Canada don't favor oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Peter Harder, Canada's recently retired deputy minister of Foreign Affairs under both (conservative) Harper and the previous Liberal governments, said he hopes Canada does not back away from its opposition to drilling.

"I would certainly oppose that and would hope that we continue to oppose that," Harder said in a recent interview.

He also commented on the McCain-GOP VP pick.

"I understand that energy is important," he added, "But simply being a governor from a state that has reserves doesn't make you the expert necessarily."