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

Surrey RCMP are asking for the public's assistance in identifying youth suspected of causing damage at Sophie’s Place

Surrey RCMP are asking for the public's assistance in identifying youth suspected of causing damage at Sophie’s Place
Three of the four suspects were observed causing damage to an unmarked police vehicle by jumping on the hood.

Surrey RCMP are asking for the public's assistance in identifying youth suspected of causing damage at Sophie’s Place

Parent, grandparent visa program relaunched

Parent, grandparent visa program relaunched
Federal Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino announced the relaunch of the parent and grandparent program today, saying it will open for applications on Oct. 13.

Parent, grandparent visa program relaunched

Canada suspends Turkish arms exports

Canada suspends Turkish arms exports
Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne announced the new move today after ordering an investigation last week.

Canada suspends Turkish arms exports

Police response probed after B.C. woman hurt

Police response probed after B.C. woman hurt
The Independent Investigations Office says the same woman had jumped in front of a vehicle in the area shortly before, but was not hurt.

Police response probed after B.C. woman hurt

Liberals promise to fix Massey Tunnel 'bottleneck'

Liberals promise to fix Massey Tunnel 'bottleneck'
Leader Andrew Wilkinson says the Liberals, if elected on Oct. 24, will dump the NDP's long-delayed eight-lane tunnel proposal and start immediate on construction of the 10-lane bridge to replace the current tunnel.

Liberals promise to fix Massey Tunnel 'bottleneck'

New program to protect farm workers from COVID-19

New program to protect farm workers from COVID-19
The program will subsidize farms' purchases of personal protective equipment and sanitary stations and it will help to cover extra costs in cases of any COVID-19 outbreaks.

New program to protect farm workers from COVID-19