Tuesday, December 30, 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

Trudeau says Canada acted quickly on COVID-19

Trudeau says Canada acted quickly on COVID-19
This comes as U.S. President Donald Trump is accused of downplaying the danger of the novel coronavirus while privately saying it was much worse than the regular flu.

Trudeau says Canada acted quickly on COVID-19

Feds, airlines set contact-tracing rules

Feds, airlines set contact-tracing rules
Passengers will be asked to provide their contact information, such as an email or phone number, at check-in so local public health officials can get in touch if needed

Feds, airlines set contact-tracing rules

WATCH: Banquet Hall owners unhappy with Dr.Bonnie Henry on shutting down banquet halls, say being discriminated against

WATCH: Banquet Hall owners unhappy with Dr.Bonnie Henry on shutting down banquet halls, say being discriminated against
WATCH: Banquet Hall owners lash out at BC NDP MLAs for not being on their side. "Discrimination against South Asian Community," Says Sukh Mann, President of the BC Banquet Hall Association. Record breaking heat wave in BC

WATCH: Banquet Hall owners unhappy with Dr.Bonnie Henry on shutting down banquet halls, say being discriminated against

B.C. auditor outlines cost of pandemic response

B.C. auditor outlines cost of pandemic response
The government has announced a $5-billion COVID-19 response and a $1-billion contribution to a federal cost-sharing program.

B.C. auditor outlines cost of pandemic response

N.B. leaders begin final push before election

N.B. leaders begin final push before election
Progressive Conservative Leader Blaine Higgs used potato fields in Florenceville in the northwest of the province as the backdrop as he called on voters to return his party to government.

N.B. leaders begin final push before election

Health experts criticize Canada's vaccine buys

Health experts criticize Canada's vaccine buys
COVAX is aimed at averting a scramble by individual countries to secure vaccines for their own populations, often by pre-buying doses directly from pharmaceutical companies.

Health experts criticize Canada's vaccine buys