Canadian Finance Minister Bill Morneau said Wednesday that the federal government in Ottawa is considering “all options” regarding the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, including taking an equity stake in the project.
Speaking in Toronto, Minister Morneau said Ottawa is looking at several options to ensure the Alberta-B.C. oil pipeline gets built as planned, including the federal government taking a financial stake in the contentious project that has put the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia at odds with each other.
Project architect Kinder Morgan said earlier this week that it will suspend all non-essential spending on the project until there is more certainty it won’t be blocked by British Columbia’s NDP government – a move that has the neighbouring Government of Alberta offering to buy outright the multi-billion dollar pipeline expansion that would carry Alberta oil to the B.C. coast.
The Finance Minister added that any federal investment in the Trans Mountain pipeline would first require closed door talks with Kinder Morgan and the two provinces. Minister Morneau is expected to meet Thursday with Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, and said he plans to reinforce Ottawa`s “resolute determination” to keep the oil pipeline project on track.
Related Stories
