Thursday, January 1, 2026
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

Victim of Catholic priest awarded $844,000 by court

Victim of Catholic priest awarded $844,000 by court
A former elementary school teacher who says she was sexually assaulted by a Roman Catholic priest more than 40 years ago in Kamloops, B.C., has been awarded nearly $850,000 in damages by a judge.

Victim of Catholic priest awarded $844,000 by court

Two B.C. parents challenge school reopening plans

Two B.C. parents challenge school reopening plans
Two fathers have filed an injunction application demanding the British Columbia government implement tougher safety measures aimed at protecting students from the risks of COVID-19 before schools reopen.

Two B.C. parents challenge school reopening plans

WATCH: NHL gets backlash for not speaking up sooner on Jacob Blake Shooting, China will not ship vaccine to Canada

WATCH: NHL gets backlash for not speaking up sooner on Jacob Blake Shooting, China will not ship vaccine to Canada
WATCH- NHL takes heat on social media and from critics for not responding earlier to the anti-racism rhetoric in the wake of the Jacob Blake shooting. No vaccine for Canada from China. 

WATCH: NHL gets backlash for not speaking up sooner on Jacob Blake Shooting, China will not ship vaccine to Canada

B.C. report urges health regulation reforms

B.C. report urges health regulation reforms
A report recommends cutting the number of regulatory colleges governing health professionals in British Columbia from 20 to six to improve public protection.

B.C. report urges health regulation reforms

Champagne pushes Lebanon, China on first trip

Champagne pushes Lebanon, China on first trip
Canada's foreign minister was bound for London for private talks with a trusted ally after butting heads with leading figures from Lebanon and China, capping a bubble-bursting, four-country tour amid an unprecedented global pandemic.

Champagne pushes Lebanon, China on first trip

Tories ask speaking agency to deliver WE docs

Tories ask speaking agency to deliver WE docs
The federal Conservatives are calling on a speaking agency through which WE Charity paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to members of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's family to hand over all documents about the arrangements.

Tories ask speaking agency to deliver WE docs