The Conservative government brushed off allegations that there may have been a leak from the federal government on the pending denial of a Taseko Mines Ltd. project, prompting unusual share trading activity during a mid-October session.

John Baird, the government House leader, said his Liberal opponents -- who alleged in the House of Commons that "Conservative insiders" leaked information that may have benefited certain shareholders -- are engaging in "pure speculation."

Unusual trading in Taseko occurred in mid-October. On Nov. 2, the federal Minister of Environment said Taseko's Prosperity mine project could not be granted authorizations to proceed.

Baird said before the federal decision, there was a "publicly available" environmental assessment on the Prosperity project that recommended Ottawa reject its development "because it would cause irreparable harm" to the environment.

The proposed Taseko operation -- dubbed the Prosperity Mine -- was planned for a wilderness area about 120 kilometres southwest of Prince George in B.C.'s northern interior. Promoters touted it as one of the world's largest gold and copper plays.

Baird declined to answer Liberal questions about whether the government was conducting its own internal investigation into the possibility of a leak, and if the RCMP had been called in to assist in the probe.

Initial media reports indicated that the unusual trading activity coincided with a cabinet meeting held on Oct. 14.