SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The Partnership consolidates its interests on entities over which it is able to exercise control. To the extent there are interests owned by other parties, these interests are included in non-controlling interests. The Partnership uses the equity method of accounting for its investments in entities over which it is able to exercise significant influence.

Acquisitions by the Partnership from TransCanada  are considered common control transactions. When businesses that will be consolidated are acquired from TransCanada by the Partnership, the historical financial statements are required to be recast, except net income per common unit, to include the acquired entities for all periods presented.

When the Partnership acquires an asset or an investment from TransCanada, which will be accounted for by the equity method, the financial information is not required to be recast and the transaction is accounted for prospectively from the date of acquisition.

On June 1, 2017, the Partnership acquired from a subsidiary of TransCanada an additional 11.81 percent interest in PNGTS, resulting in the Partnership owning 61.71 percent in PNGTS (Refer to Note 18-Subsequent Events).  As a result of the Partnership owning 61.71 percent of PNGTS, the Partnership’s historical financial information was recast, except net income (loss) per common unit, to consolidate PNGTS for all the periods presented in these consolidated financial statements. Additionally, this acquisition was accounted for as transaction between entities under common control, similar to pooling of interests, whereby the assets and liabilities of PNGTS were recorded at TransCanada’s carrying value.

Also, on June 1, 2017, the Partnership acquired from subsidiaries of TransCanada a 49.34 percent interest in Iroquois Gas Transmission,L.P (“Iroquois”) (Refer to Note 18-Subsequent Events). Accordingly, the equity method investment in Iroquois was accounted for prospectively and did not form part of these consolidated financial statements.

On January 1, 2016, the Partnership acquired a 49.9 percent interest in PNGTS (2016 PNGTS Acquisition) from a subsidiary of TransCanada. The PNGTS Acquisition was accounted for as a transaction between entities under common control, similar to a pooling of interests, whereby the equity investment in PNGTS was recorded at TransCanada’s carrying value and the total excess purchase price paid was recorded as a reduction in Partners’ Equity. Accordingly, the equity investment in PNGTS is being eliminated as a result of consolidating PNGTS for all the periods presented. Refer to Note 6 for additional disclosure regarding the PNGTS Acquisition.

(a) Basis of Presentation

The Partnership consolidates its interests on entities over which it is able to exercise control. To the extent there are interests owned by other parties, these interests are included in non-controlling interests. The Partnership uses the equity method of accounting for its investments in entities over which it is able to exercise significant influence.

Acquisitions by the Partnership from TransCanada are considered common control transactions. When businesses that will be consolidated are acquired from TransCanada by the Partnership, the historical financial statements are required to be recast, except net income (loss) per common unit, to include the acquired entities for all periods presented.

When the Partnership acquires an asset or an investment from TransCanada, which will be accounted for by the equity method, the financial information is not required to be recast and the transaction is accounted for prospectively from the date of acquisition.

On June 1, 2017, the Partnership acquired from a subsidiary of TransCanada an additional 11.81 percent interest in PNGTS, resulting in the Partnership owning 61.71 percent in PNGTS (Refer to Note 24-Subsequent Events).  As a result of the Partnership owning 61.71 percent of PNGTS, the Partnership’s historical financial information was recast, except net income (loss) per common unit, to consolidate PNGTS for all the periods presented in these consolidated financial statements. Additionally, this acquisition was accounted for as transaction between entities under common control, similar to pooling of interests, whereby the assets and liabilities of PNGTS were recorded at TransCanada’s carrying value.

Also, on June 1, 2017, the Partnership acquired from subsidiaries of TransCanada a 49.34 percent interest in Iroquois (Refer to Note 24-Subsequent Events). Accordingly, the equity method investment in Iroquois  was accounted prospectively and did not form part of these consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although management believes these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates.

(b) Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although management believes these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates.