Wednesday, December 24, 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

Canadian Trump impersonator losing business

Canadian Trump impersonator losing business
The 63-year-old from London, Ont., is one of several people around the world who work as impersonators of the United States president.

Canadian Trump impersonator losing business

Blanchet pushes free speech after France attacks

Blanchet pushes free speech after France attacks
Trudeau is harming Quebec's friendship with France, Blanchet said, calling for solidarity "without nuance."

Blanchet pushes free speech after France attacks

WATCH: Health Experts Worry As Thousands Party in Downtown Vancouver for Halloween

WATCH: Health Experts Worry As Thousands Party in Downtown Vancouver for Halloween
WATCH: Thousands come together to celebrate #Halloween party at the Granville strip amidst Covid19. Very little masks and social distancing was observed among the crowds.

WATCH: Health Experts Worry As Thousands Party in Downtown Vancouver for Halloween

WW2 soldier killed in Netherlands identified

WW2 soldier killed in Netherlands identified
Trooper Henry George Johnston's identity was confirmed under a program dedicated to identifying newly found skeletal remains and Canadian service members who were buried anonymously.

WW2 soldier killed in Netherlands identified

No money for Liberal promise of 2 billion trees

No money for Liberal promise of 2 billion trees
Trudeau pledged a year ago that the government would plant two billion more trees by 2030, or about 200 million extra trees per year.

No money for Liberal promise of 2 billion trees

Study of Trudeau speaking contracts shut down

Study of Trudeau speaking contracts shut down
This time NDP MP Charlie Angus abstained, and the new motion failed also by one vote. Bloc MP Marie-Hélène Gaudreau proposed the new motion Monday saying the committee should examine the measures in place to avert conflicts of interest.

Study of Trudeau speaking contracts shut down