Friday, December 19, 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

Prominent Canadians on the Biden-Harris inauguration

Prominent Canadians on the Biden-Harris inauguration
We will continue this partnership as we fight the global COVID-19 pandemic and support a sustainable economic recovery that will build back better for everyone.

Prominent Canadians on the Biden-Harris inauguration

Bank of Canada keeps interest rate on hold

Bank of Canada keeps interest rate on hold
Governor Tiff Macklem, in his opening remarks at a late-morning news conference, warned the first-quarter decline could be worse than expected if restrictions are tightened or extended.

Bank of Canada keeps interest rate on hold

Canadians watch Joe Biden inauguration

Canadians watch Joe Biden inauguration
Thousands of National Guard troops were deployed ahead of the event, further stoking anxiety among Americans and concerned observers.

Canadians watch Joe Biden inauguration

Delta Police respond to incident at Burnsview school grounds

Delta Police respond to incident at Burnsview school grounds
The altercation occurred outside Burnsview Secondary School in North Delta, as classes were being let out, and a weapon was apparently used during the incident.

Delta Police respond to incident at Burnsview school grounds

The latest COVID19 case numbers for BC

The latest COVID19 case numbers for BC
There were 465 new cases Tuesday from 11,781 completed tests, for a positivity rate of 3.9 per cent.

The latest COVID19 case numbers for BC

Concealing Cocaine in international shipments can be bananas: Kelowna RCMP

Concealing Cocaine in international shipments can be bananas: Kelowna RCMP
On February 24, 2019, a local Kelowna grocery store reported finding twelve large bricks of what they believed were illicit drugs in a recent shipment of bananas.

Concealing Cocaine in international shipments can be bananas: Kelowna RCMP