Thursday, December 25, 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

In-person exam cancelled for resident doctors

In-person exam cancelled for resident doctors
The Medical Council of Canada suddenly cancelled a key qualifying exam set for this weekend, citing public health recommendations and the loss of university venues that were to host the exam.

In-person exam cancelled for resident doctors

Most arrivals in Canada deemed 'essential'

Most arrivals in Canada deemed 'essential'
The Canada Border Services Agency provides data each week on the number of people arriving in Canada by land or air, saying "most" people entering the country must quarantine for two weeks.

Most arrivals in Canada deemed 'essential'

Trudeau touts vaccine deals as COVID-19 cases soar

Trudeau touts vaccine deals as COVID-19 cases soar
Trudeau told a news conference Friday that the government is spending $214 million towards the development of COVID-19 vaccines, signing deals with two Canadian biotech firms.

Trudeau touts vaccine deals as COVID-19 cases soar

Canada, Alberta sign deal on caribou protection

Canada, Alberta sign deal on caribou protection
The plan envisions self-sustaining herds on healthy habitat some time between 50 and 100 years from now.

Canada, Alberta sign deal on caribou protection

Police probe death of Iranian-Canadian activist

Police probe death of Iranian-Canadian activist
York Regional Police have identified Mohammad Mehdi Amin Sadeghieh, 58, as the victim of a suspected homicide.

Police probe death of Iranian-Canadian activist

Canadians in U.S. mull options as election nears

Canadians in U.S. mull options as election nears
Ask some of the roughly 800,000 Canadians who live in the U.S., though, and it becomes one of three things: a parachute, a very real possibility or an honest-to-God plan of action.

Canadians in U.S. mull options as election nears