Sunday, December 28, 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

Mouth wash test coming for school kids in B.C.

Mouth wash test coming for school kids in B.C.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says British Columbia is one of the first places in the world to use a mouth rinse gargle test for the new coronavirus.

Mouth wash test coming for school kids in B.C.

Killer to argue he's not criminally responsible

Killer to argue he's not criminally responsible
The announcement comes just a week before Gabriel Klein was to be sentenced for the second-degree murder of 13-year-old Letisha Reimer and aggravated assault of her friend.

Killer to argue he's not criminally responsible

New West police arrest suspect in relation to Pier Park fire

New West police arrest suspect in relation to Pier Park fire
The male suspect has since been released from custody on a number of conditions.

New West police arrest suspect in relation to Pier Park fire

B.C. unveils $1.5B economic recovery plan

B.C. unveils $1.5B economic recovery plan
Premier John Horgan's government has also announced funding for the tourism industry, food security, climate action, and technology and innovation.

B.C. unveils $1.5B economic recovery plan

B.C. mental health minister not seeking re-election

B.C. mental health minister not seeking re-election
Judy Darcy, who represents New Westminster in the legislature, says in a statement that it's been an "enormous privilege" to serve as B.C.'s first-ever minister of mental health and addictions.

B.C. mental health minister not seeking re-election

Vancouver records increase in crime

Vancouver records increase in crime
Vancouver police say violent crime increased by more than five per cent and was largely driven by a rise in serious assaults.

Vancouver records increase in crime