MONTREAL - Despite its very public criticism of Alberta's oil sands, the Quebec government is quietly urging the province's businesspeople to cash in on the energy bonanza.

The provincial government is urging Quebec businesses to seize the opportunities offered by the oil sands during a trade mission to Edmonton next month.

The invitation was made on an ad on the website for the provincial government's Department of Economic Development, Innovation and Exports.

The message is a far cry from the one delivered at the recent climate conference in Copenhagen, where the Charest government cast itself as the green hero to Alberta's environmental villain.

A spokeswoman for Economic Development Minister Clement Gignac says there's actually no inconsistency.

Nancy-Sonia Trudelle said the businesses selected for the mission will offer "innovative environmental technologies," which would help reduce the impact of gas and petroleum projects.

"What we want to promote there is how to help reduce the impact of greenhouse gas emissions," Trudelle said.

"It is really with this vision in mind that we're taking part in the economic mission."

Trudelle said the deadline for applications was Thursday, but would not reveal which companies had expressed interest because the list was being reviewed.

She said the so-called National Buyer/Seller Forum is also a chance to get Quebec companies better known in Alberta.

The government website explains that Suncor (TSX:SU), EnCana (TSX:ECA), and Imperial (TSX:IMO) are expected to spend $200 billion on oil sands development projects over the coming years.

The site invites Quebec businesspeople to join a four-day trade mission to Alberta starting March 22, and it promises $250 travel subsidies for each company that sends a representative.

"The launch of oil sands development projects (offers) business opportunities to seize," the ad says.

"This is a unique opportunity for businesses to position themselves to establish ties to the big decision-makers of Alberta's energy sector."

A number of examples of possible investments are listed on the website -- including a $5.5 billion project by Suncor to restart the Firebag 3 oilsands site in 2011.

The website also quotes Brian McCready, the president of the Alberta Exporters and Association.

"All signs in the industry indicate that the month of March 2010 will be a period ripe for exchanges between buyers and sellers," McCready said.

The opposition Parti Quebecois says the ad is only the latest example of Quebec's incoherent approach to climate change.

Montreal's Le Devoir newspaper, which first reported about the web ad, quoted PQ environment critic Scott McKay saying that the Charest government has actually promoted car-friendly policies while painting itself as an environmental champion.

Quebec has repeatedly scolded the federal government for its failure to address climate change.

But the province's own greenhouse gas emissions have actually increased more than five per cent since 1990.

Also, Quebec has annoyed the Alberta government by arguing that it should shoulder a greater share of the cost of fighting climate change because of its oil-sands pollution.

Alberta counters that while Quebec complains on the one hand about the oil sands, it has continued pocketing its $8 billion federal equalization cheque each year with the other. That equalization fund receives a huge windfall from oil revenues.

But the Bloc Quebecois, the PQ's cousin in Ottawa, actually defended the Charest government Friday.

In an interview with The Canadian Press, party leader Gilles Duceppe said he had no problem with the ad.

He said the Bloc has never suggested oil sands development should be halted, and there's nothing wrong with companies participating in free-market opportunities related to oil.

What he wants is an end to federal tax breaks and climate-change policies that favour the oil sands.

"If they want to produce that kind of oil, the players have to pay the consequences of their own production," Duceppe said.

"What we're basically saying is that we should put an end to preferential treatment of oil companies."