OTTAWA - A Canadian Alliance MP fell victim to an international hoax yesterday that announced the World Trade Organization was closing down and returning as a new organization more sensitive to the needs of developing countries.

The official-looking press release, posted on a Web site run by an anti-globalization group called the Yes Men, appeared so authentic to Alliance trade critic John Duncan that he raised the matter in Question Period.

"Mr. Speaker ... the World Trade Organization has decided to effect a cessation of all operations to be accomplished over the next four months, culminating by the end of September," Mr. Duncan said. "The World Trade Organization will reintegrate as a new trade body, the Trade Regulation Organization. Will the government inform Canadians what impact this will have on our appeals on lumber, agriculture and other ongoing trade disputes?"

Pat O'Brien, parliamentary secretary to Pierre Pettigrew, Minister for International Trade, was understandably confused by the question and offered only a generic response that the government would continue to press its cases before the WTO.

Once made aware of the hoax, Mr. Duncan retracted his comments in the House.

"It was a brilliant master stroke," the somewhat red-faced Alliance MP said later with a chuckle. He complimented the group on its innovative approach and said he only began to suspect the announcement was a hoax as he read the portion that said the organization's head offices would be moved from Geneva to the capital of a less-developed country. Unfortunately, he said, he had only read about half the release when his turn came to ask a question.

"I've certainly learned to be a little more careful when it comes to these sorts of announcements," Mr. Duncan said.

While clearly annoyed, the WTO admitted yesterday that the Yes Men had won the day.

"Some of you may have received a press release from those clever folks at Yes Men, which purports to be a press release from the World Trade Organization public relations," Keith Rockwell, the WTO's director of information and media relations, said in a release of his own. "Needless to say, the communiqué is a hoax.

"While we can appreciate their sense of humour, we would not wish for reputable news organizations like yours to be counted among those duped."