A judge has decided that the deal made between U.S. Steel and the Harper government will remain a secret.

The deal ended a government lawsuit over the promises it made for its Canadian operations when U.S. Steel was given the federal green light to buy Stelco. At the time, it made 33 promises, including commitments on production and employment. The judge in the case says he doesn’t think the city of Hamilton, U.S. Steel workers and retirees have proven that they need the details of the secret deal.