Tuesday, June 16, 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

Two men found dead in Vancouver and police identify vehicle of interest in the homicides

Two men found dead in Vancouver and police identify vehicle of interest in the homicides
Two people have been found dead in a home in east Vancouver. A statement from Vancouver police says the two men had been shot.

Two men found dead in Vancouver and police identify vehicle of interest in the homicides

Vancouver Police make arrest for random assaults in park

Vancouver Police make arrest for random assaults in park
A man has been arrested and charged following multiple random assaults in Queen Elizabeth Park on Sunday.

Vancouver Police make arrest for random assaults in park

Ex UBC football player drowned in the Fraser River, RCMP identifies body.

Ex UBC football player drowned in the Fraser River, RCMP identifies body.
Kory Nagata, a former member of the UBC Thunderbirds football team, has been identified as the body pulled from the Fraser River on Monday.    

Ex UBC football player drowned in the Fraser River, RCMP identifies body.

Don't criticize China's treatment of Hong Kong, Beijing warns Canada

Don't criticize China's treatment of Hong Kong, Beijing warns Canada
China is threatening retaliation against Canada after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned a new security law giving Beijing more control over Hong Kong.

Don't criticize China's treatment of Hong Kong, Beijing warns Canada

Ontario to end streaming in Grade 9, early years suspensions

Ontario to end streaming in Grade 9, early years suspensions
Ontario will soon join the rest of Canada by doing away with an educational practice that perpetuates racism throughout the system, the provincial government said Monday as it announced the looming end to streaming in high schools.

Ontario to end streaming in Grade 9, early years suspensions

Pandemic slows RCMP secrets case

Pandemic slows RCMP secrets case
A federal prosecutor says the disclosure of evidence to defence lawyers has "slowed significantly" in the case of Cameron Jay Ortis, an RCMP member charged with revealing secrets.

Pandemic slows RCMP secrets case