Trans Mountain pipeline talks to be held behind closed doors, Morneau insists

OTTAWA — Regardless of what’s going on behind the scenes, Finance Minister Bill Morneau says the federal government isn’t about to divulge how it plans to salvage the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.

Speaking in Toronto, Morneau says Ottawa is looking at several options to ensure the Alberta-B.C. pipeline gets built, including a potential financial stake in the project.

Project architect Kinder Morgan upped the ante this week by declaring it would suspend all non-essential spending on the project until there is more certainty it won’t be blocked by British Columbia’s NDP government.

Morneau says any federal investment in the pipeline would first require closed-door talks with Kinder Morgan and the two provinces.

The finance minister is expected to meet later today with Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, and says he plans to reinforce the Trudeau government’s “resolute determination” to keep the project on track.

He says that determination was confirmed Tuesday during an emergency federal cabinet meeting in Ottawa, although he won’t say whether penalizing B.C. financially — such as by withholding transfer payments –remains an option.

“I’m not going to publicly negotiate with any one of the parties,” Morneau said after making a student work placement announcement at Toronto’s Ryerson University.

“Public threats, in my estimation, aren’t helpful.”