Canada was handed the 'Colossal Fossil' of the year award at the Copenhagen climate talks on Friday ­ the third year in a row it was given the dubious citation.

A coalition of environmental groups at the conference, including members from Canada, are behind the mock award.

At a media event organized by Climate Action Network International, a fake medallion was placed around the neck of an actor dressed in a Stephen Harper costume.

According to a statement on the fossiloftheday.com website, Canada was a hands-down winner of the least progressive country at the Copenhagen summit for "bringing a totally unacceptable position into Copenhagen and refusing to strengthen it one bit."

Canada has been taking punches from all sides ­ from environment groups, developing countries and even provincial premiers and Canadian city mayors ­ for not striving for deeper cuts to greenhouse gasses.

Earlier in the week, the Haper government would not rule out offering special breaks to the Alberta oilsands.

"Canada has made zero progress here on financing, offering nothing for the short term or the long term beyond vague platitudes. And in last night's high-level segment, Canada's environment minister gave a speech so lame that it didnąt include a single target, number or reference to the science," said the group.