OTTAWA - The prime minister rejected a claim from Green Party Leader Elizabeth May that the government has secret plans to merge Environment Canada with the Ministry of Natural Resources.

During question period Tuesday, May asked Stephen Harper to calm her concerns about plans to merge the two departments.

"I've heard from credible sources within the government that there's a proposal to eliminate Environment Canada by merging it with Natural Resources Canada," May asked.

Harper didn't categorically deny plans to combine the departments, instead offering to correct her sources on "misinformation."

"I would have preferred that Harper had said there's absolutely no way we would consider such a thing," May told reporters. "This is not a frivolous discussion at some junior level. This is what I understand to be in the works."

A spokesman for Environment Canada said: "There are no plans."