Choose your own adventure

The Harper government is talking, isn’t talking and is prepared to talk with the United Arab Emirates, not there’s anything to talk about.

... on Thursday, International Trade Minister Peter Van Loan told Reuters News Agency that Canada hasn’t made a final decision to reject the UAE’s request that more landing slots at airports such as Pearson be given to its two air carriers. The Conservative minister said talks are continuing...

Within hours of Mr. Van Loan’s comments hitting the newswires, another government official denied, on background, that air-negotiation talks were still taking place. And a spokesman for Transport Minister Chuck Strahl said that his department believes the existing air flight agreement with UAE adequately serves market needs...

Asked to clarify his remarks, Mr. Van Loan would only say that Ottawa remains ready to talk.