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

B.C. to get 5,800 fewer vaccine doses next week

B.C. to get 5,800 fewer vaccine doses next week
Adrian Dix says the province had expected to receive about 5,800 Pfizer-BioNTech doses, a relatively small amount compared with the roughly 25,000 it's supposed to receive the week after.

B.C. to get 5,800 fewer vaccine doses next week

Canadians eye US inauguration with relief, anxiety

Canadians eye US inauguration with relief, anxiety
Canadians have found themselves especially glued to American politics over the last four years since Trump was elected president of the United States.

Canadians eye US inauguration with relief, anxiety

Experts say Canada should share its vaccine wealth

Experts say Canada should share its vaccine wealth
David Hornsby, professor of international affairs at Carleton University, said the pandemic has shed light on an inward-looking trend that has been developing in the country for decades.

Experts say Canada should share its vaccine wealth

We'll keep pushing U.S. on Keystone XL: Trudeau

We'll keep pushing U.S. on Keystone XL: Trudeau
Environmental groups briefed on the incoming administration's plan also say they have been told it would come on Biden's first day in the White House.

We'll keep pushing U.S. on Keystone XL: Trudeau

Travel rules could change at any time: Trudeau

Travel rules could change at any time: Trudeau
New variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 add a level of uncertainty that could affect decisions about how to handle international arrivals.

Travel rules could change at any time: Trudeau

Canadian fashion mogul seeks bail on U.S. charges

Canadian fashion mogul seeks bail on U.S. charges
Lawyers are questioning Greg Fenske, a former Nygard executive, about how money moved to him to purchase a house that he has offered for Nygard to stay at.

Canadian fashion mogul seeks bail on U.S. charges