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

Trick-or-treating possible, health officers say

Trick-or-treating possible, health officers say
Dr. Theresa Tam cautions, however, that parents should listen to local public health authorities for advice on their particular communities.

Trick-or-treating possible, health officers say

Witnesses sought in crash that killed motorcyclist

Witnesses sought in crash that killed motorcyclist
RCMP say a white Chevrolet Tracker was travelling west about noon on Monday, when it crossed the centre line and struck a red Honda motorcycle.

Witnesses sought in crash that killed motorcyclist

B.C. Liberals pledge new economic recovery plan

B.C. Liberals pledge new economic recovery plan
The party says it would also appoint an independent Fair Tax Commission to review all provincial taxes and recommend adjustments, reductions or eliminations to most effectively fuel economic recovery.

B.C. Liberals pledge new economic recovery plan

Pandemic exposes need for basic income: expert

Pandemic exposes need for basic income: expert
Evelyn Forget says a basic income program would have automatically provided help to hard-hit Canadians instead of forcing governments to set up emergency aid in a rush.

Pandemic exposes need for basic income: expert

PM blasts Tories for push to keep WE probe alive

PM blasts Tories for push to keep WE probe alive
New Democrats have also proposed a special committee that would dive into the government’s various responses to COVID-19, including the now-defunct Canada Student Services Grant.

PM blasts Tories for push to keep WE probe alive

Man turns himself in after hit-and-run in B.C.

Man turns himself in after hit-and-run in B.C.
Police say the man from a village in northeastern Vancouver Island contacted the RCMP in Kelowna after seeing his truck on the news.

Man turns himself in after hit-and-run in B.C.