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OTTAWA — The Canadian government has the power to delay a decision on whether to approve a massive new oilsands project, a key cabinet minister said on Tuesday, a sign Ottawa could push back what will be a contentious decision.

Ottawa must decide by end-February if Teck Resources Ltd can build the $20.6 billion (US$15.7 billion) Frontier mine in northern Alberta, capable of eventually producing 260,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

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If the minority Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says yes, it would call into question his promise to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. But saying no could infuriate Alberta, already angry over what local politicians claim is Ottawa’s bias against the energy industry.