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

Delta police chief's wife offers apology after a racially motivated altercation with a South Asian woman at Centennial Beach

Delta police chief's wife offers apology after a racially motivated altercation with a South Asian woman at Centennial Beach
The wife of Delta Police Chief Neil Dubord is being investigated by the RCMP after she allegedly hurled insults at Kiran Sidhu and sprayed her with a hose, according to Sidhu's allegations.

Delta police chief's wife offers apology after a racially motivated altercation with a South Asian woman at Centennial Beach

West Jet removes seats for Canada Day dropping physical distancing

West Jet removes seats for Canada Day dropping physical distancing
If you will be flying on Canada Day domestically get ready for some changes in relation to COVID-19. Air Canada and WestJet have announced that they will reomove seat distancing as of July 1.

West Jet removes seats for Canada Day dropping physical distancing

Surrey high school graduate is the winner of the TD scholarship for community leadership

Surrey high school graduate is the winner of the TD scholarship for community leadership
KUDOS to Surrey Tamanawis Secondary graduate HarjotBal who is one of the recipients of the prestigious TD Scholarship for Community Leadership, valued at up to $70,000 dollars.

Surrey high school graduate is the winner of the TD scholarship for community leadership

High risk sex offender to reside in Vancouver

High risk sex offender to reside in Vancouver
Vancouver Police are warning the public that a convicted sex offender, Howard Geddes Skelding, will be residing in Vancouver and poses a significant risk to women in the community.

High risk sex offender to reside in Vancouver

Meanwhile in Canada, BC kickstarting PHASE 3 of Re-Opening the Economy

Meanwhile in Canada, BC kickstarting PHASE 3 of Re-Opening the Economy
BC Premier John Horgan Kickstarts Phase 3 of its provincial re-opening plan. Find out what is opening and how travel will work if you are hitting the road with COVID-19.

Meanwhile in Canada, BC kickstarting PHASE 3 of Re-Opening the Economy

Fraser and South Thompson river levels rising: forecast centre

Fraser and South Thompson river levels rising: forecast centre
Flood watches have been posted for the upper Fraser and South Thompson rivers. The B.C. River Forecast Centre says heavy rainfall in parts of the central and eastern Interior over the past week prompted the flood watches.

Fraser and South Thompson river levels rising: forecast centre