Friday, December 26, 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

Loneliness taking toll in COVID era, study finds

Loneliness taking toll in COVID era, study finds
Morneau Shepell's overall mental health index for September was down 10.2 points from its pre-2020 benchmark. The reading in August was down 11.2 points from the benchmark, while July was down 10.4 points.

Loneliness taking toll in COVID era, study finds

Health Canada adds 5 hand sanitizers to recall

Health Canada adds 5 hand sanitizers to recall
The agency has pulled two Sanix products for containing the "unacceptable ingredient," methanol.

Health Canada adds 5 hand sanitizers to recall

Abbotsford Police need your help identifying man of South Asian descent responsible for sexual assault

Abbotsford Police need your help identifying man of South Asian descent responsible for sexual assault
The suspect is a clean-shaven South Asian man in his 30s, with short black hair and a slim build.

Abbotsford Police need your help identifying man of South Asian descent responsible for sexual assault

More Cdns plan to live at home as they age: poll

More Cdns plan to live at home as they age: poll
The National Institute on Ageing at Toronto's Ryerson University conducted an online survey of 1,517 Canadians aged 18 and over in late July.

More Cdns plan to live at home as they age: poll

Ex-senator's staff to receive $498K over abuse

Ex-senator's staff to receive $498K over abuse
The decision revealed Wednesday to award $498,000 in compensation — plus $30,000 in legal fees — comes more than a year after a four-year Senate investigation concluded there was a pattern of inappropriate behaviour by Meredith while he was a senator.

Ex-senator's staff to receive $498K over abuse

Tax watchdog to keep eye on CRA through pandemic

Tax watchdog to keep eye on CRA through pandemic
François Boileau said in an interview with The Canadian Press the CRA has agreed to be understanding with Canadians as the agency shifts back to tax-collection mode after months of focusing on doling out emergency aid.

Tax watchdog to keep eye on CRA through pandemic