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One of Ottawa’s biggest secrets is about to be spilled.

The National Capital Commission will reveal Thursday which of two competing multibillion-dollar development proposals for LeBreton Flats has been ranked highest by an evaluation committee.

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But that doesn’t necessarily mean the runner-up will be finished or cast aside as a loser.

While the NCC may opt to negotiate a development agreement with the highest ranked proponent, it could also negotiate with the runner-up if talks with the top-ranked team fail. It could even enter into “separate and distinct but contemporaneous” negotiations with both teams.

The two proponents — Eugene Melnyk’s RendezVous LeBreton and the Devcore Canderel DLS Group — are strictly prohibited from speaking publicly until Thursday’s announcement. But it will come as no surprise to either if the NCC chooses to keep both involved, if only to provide a Plan B in case things fall apart with the preferred choice.