Wednesday, December 31, 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

StatCan preps new online tool for inflation

StatCan preps new online tool for inflation
Statistics Canada already has a visualization tool that allows users to see the changes in prices for goods that make up the country's headline inflation number.

StatCan preps new online tool for inflation

Domestic violence, mental crisis calls rise

Domestic violence, mental crisis calls rise
Public safety experts and mental health advocates worried the anxiety and pressure of the pandemic was going to wreak havoc on already stressed families, leading to more domestic violence, child abuse and mental health trauma.

Domestic violence, mental crisis calls rise

Snowbird jets take off from B.C. after grounding

Snowbird jets take off from B.C. after grounding
Capt. Jennifer Casey, the team's public affairs officer, was killed, while pilot Capt. Richard MacDougall was seriously hurt.

Snowbird jets take off from B.C. after grounding

Former B.C. chief justice Lance Finch dies at 82

Former B.C. chief justice Lance Finch dies at 82
Chief Justice Robert J. Bauman says as a judicial leader, Finch was strong, steady and humble.

Former B.C. chief justice Lance Finch dies at 82

New housing for homeless announced for Vancouver

New housing for homeless announced for Vancouver
Housing Minister Selina Robinson and Mayor Kennedy Stewart announced plans to build 98 temporary modular homes just a few blocks from Strathcona Park where a homeless encampment has been growing.

New housing for homeless announced for Vancouver

Athletes using platform for social change in new era

Athletes using platform for social change in new era
It was impressive to see NBA players — as well as women in the WNBA — collectively deciding not to play last week.

Athletes using platform for social change in new era