Saturday, June 13, 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

Scheer's last day in Commons as Tory leader

Scheer's last day in Commons as Tory leader
Conservative leader Andrew Scheer rose Wednesday in the House of Commons for what's likely his last time as Opposition leader and told the MPs dotted throughout the chamber he had a sense of deja vu.

Scheer's last day in Commons as Tory leader

Mother seeks strict penalty in son's jail death

Mother seeks strict penalty in son's jail death
The mother of a man who died in a Halifax police jail cell in June 2016 has asked a judge to impose the "strictest penalty possible" on two special police constables found guilty of criminal negligence in his death.

Mother seeks strict penalty in son's jail death

Feds add $305M to Indigenous COVID-19 response

Feds add $305M to Indigenous COVID-19 response
The federal government has announced an additional $305 million to help Indigenous Peoples combat COVID-19.

Feds add $305M to Indigenous COVID-19 response

B.C. sets out new school return dates

B.C. sets out new school return dates
British Columbia's Education Ministry says children will be returning to classrooms two days later than originally planned as part of a gradual restart to schooling.

B.C. sets out new school return dates

Two die after fish boat sinks off Vancouver Island

Two die after fish boat sinks off Vancouver Island
The British Columbia Coroners Service says two people have died after a Canadian fishing boat sank in waters west of Vancouver Island.

Two die after fish boat sinks off Vancouver Island

WATCH: Russia Approves First Covid19 Vaccine | AirCanada To ReOpen India Route | Cases Rise in BC #covid19

WATCH:  Russia Approves First Covid19 Vaccine | AirCanada To ReOpen India Route | Cases Rise in BC #covid19
Russia approves the world's first COVID-19 vaccine, Putin claims tested on own daughter, but scientific community is skeptical.

WATCH: Russia Approves First Covid19 Vaccine | AirCanada To ReOpen India Route | Cases Rise in BC #covid19