Thursday, December 18, 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

Avalanche warning for slopes on B.C.'s South Coast

Avalanche warning for slopes on B.C.'s South Coast
The forecaster says the snowpack in the area is highly unusual, with a buried weak layer not normally found in the warmer climate.

Avalanche warning for slopes on B.C.'s South Coast

Court OKs abuse of process argument for killers

Court OKs abuse of process argument for killers
The British Columbia Court of Appeal has upheld the first-degree murder verdicts for Matthew Johnston and Cody Haevischer in the so-called Surrey Six killings in October 2007.

Court OKs abuse of process argument for killers

Higher dose count factored into Pfizer's shipments

Higher dose count factored into Pfizer's shipments
Canada has some existing supply of the special syringes needed to do so and two million of a recent order for 37.5 million of them are to arrive in Canada starting Feb. 4.

Higher dose count factored into Pfizer's shipments

Help further mischief investigation: Surrey RCMP

Help further mischief investigation: Surrey RCMP
Shortly before 1 p.m. on January 25, 2021, Surrey RCMP received a report of graffiti spray-painted along the gym and courtyard at a school located in the 1700-block of 148 Street.

Help further mischief investigation: Surrey RCMP

Panel recommends against B.C. basic income for all

Panel recommends against B.C. basic income for all
The panel's 500-page report says it believes a basic income pilot project would not provide useful information and raises ethical concerns.

Panel recommends against B.C. basic income for all

Feds to cheer Biden's decision on global gag rule

Feds to cheer Biden's decision on global gag rule
Biden will issue a presidential memorandum today that the White House says will protect and expand access to reproductive health care.

Feds to cheer Biden's decision on global gag rule