Tuesday, December 23, 2025
ADVT 
National

O'Toole presses pipelines with U.S. envoy

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 11 Feb, 2021 06:14 PM
  • O'Toole presses pipelines with U.S. envoy

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole urged the acting American ambassador to Canada to tell Washington to preserve the Line 5 pipeline to the United States.

O'Toole told Katherine Brucker that he was disappointed by President Joe Biden's decision to cancel Keystone XL pipeline on his first day in office last month.

O'Toole also said if the governor of Michigan follows through on plans to shut down Line 5 by May it would have a negative economic impact on both countries.

About 87 million litres of oil and natural gas liquids moves daily through Line 5 from Wisconsin to Sarnia, Ont., passing through parts of Michigan.

The U.S. embassy in Ottawa declined to comment on the Wednesday conversation between Brucker and O'Toole.

But the Conservative leader's office released its own readout of the meeting.

"Mr. O'Toole raised his disappointment about the decision of the United States to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline and made the case for why this project should continue, including the economic benefits for both countries," it said.

"He also raised the potential Line 5 pipeline cancellation and the tremendous economic blow this would cause both countries."

O'Toole also asked the U.S. to help secure more vaccines for Canadians.

"Mr. O'Toole spoke about the need for vaccines in order to secure jobs and turn the corner in the pandemic," the readout said.

A U.S. embassy spokeswoman said Brucker meets with "a wide range of Canadians from all sectors, including political leaders, to learn about their priorities and promote bilateral understanding" but it does not comment publicly on the details of those conversations.

But recent moves by Biden make it unlikely that Canada will receive any extra vaccine doses made in the United States

Biden invoked the Defence Production Act, after former president Donald Trump did the same last year to push for faster production of personal protective equipment and vaccines. Biden did not specifically mention exports, but he has promised to vaccinate 100 million Americans in his first 100 days in office.

O'Toole also registered his opposition to American tariffs on softwood lumber and the Buy American policies that the Biden administration is also following after Trump.

"They also spoke about the threat the Chinese Communist Party poses to both the United States and Canada. Mr. O'Toole raised the issue of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor who are currently being held hostage, and thanked the United States for their willingness to assist in securing their release," said the readout.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Minassian's psychiatrist interview videos sealed

Minassian's psychiatrist interview videos sealed
While the audio and video of Alek Minassian's interviews with Dr. Alexander Westphal will not be released publicly, Justice Anne Molloy has allowed journalists to view the recordings when they're presented in court.

Minassian's psychiatrist interview videos sealed

Surrey announces police chief for new force

Surrey announces police chief for new force
Lipinski previously worked for the Edmonton Police Service and the RCMP before his role in Delta.

Surrey announces police chief for new force

BC Ferries sees a 29 percent decrease in ridership due to COVID19

BC Ferries sees a 29 percent decrease in ridership due to COVID19
BC Ferries’ net earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 were $37.8 million, $57.2 million lower than the same quarter of the previous year.

BC Ferries sees a 29 percent decrease in ridership due to COVID19

Vancouver Police approves charges

Vancouver Police approves charges
Damien Franklin Leung, 34, was taken to hospital where he died from his injuries. John Huang, 30, has been charged with second degree murder.

Vancouver Police approves charges

Arctic heavy fuel ban weak: environmentalists

Arctic heavy fuel ban weak: environmentalists
They say Canada should refuse to take advantage of loopholes the International Maritime Organization has agreed to make part of the ban on heavy fuel oils.

Arctic heavy fuel ban weak: environmentalists

Trudeau joins APEC leaders in stressing free trade

Trudeau joins APEC leaders in stressing free trade
The 21 APEC leaders stressed "co-ordinated action" on the pandemic at the meeting, hosted by Malaysia but held online because of the virus.

Trudeau joins APEC leaders in stressing free trade