Cabinet is ready to postpone the deadline to reconsider the Trans Mountain Pipeline

OTTAWA – Canada's energy regulator will say Friday to the federal government whether it still believes the Trans Mountain pipeline should be expanded, but the firm's last word on the future of the project should not be intervene before the summer.

The National Energy Board is reconsidering the impact of the project on marine life, including southern resident killer whales who are at great risk, after the Federal Court of Appeal ruled Last year oil tankers in their waters.

Submitting the report will mark the beginning of the firm's 90-day deadline for deciding whether the controversial project will be implemented – a delay that officials have already reported could be postponed.

Cabinet will not decide the fate of the pipeline until a new round of consultations with Aboriginal communities is complete.

These consultations began in October and 70 communities have now met with federal consultation teams, but there are still more than 60 communities that have not done so.

In 2016, it took six months as a result of ONE's recommendation to Cabinet to decide to approve the project. If a similar schedule is followed this year, Trans Mountain's decision will be paralleled with the start of the next federal election.