Saturday, December 20, 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

Former Mountie in Dziekanski death settles lawsuit

Former Mountie in Dziekanski death settles lawsuit
A public inquiry heard that Dziekanski, who died at the airport's arrivals area, was jolted numerous times with a Taser seconds after Millington and three other officers approached him.

Former Mountie in Dziekanski death settles lawsuit

Trudeau leaves door open to tighter travel ban

Trudeau leaves door open to tighter travel ban
The prime minister pointed to worrisome mutations in Brazil as well as the United Kingdom, whose outbound flights Canada banned in December.

Trudeau leaves door open to tighter travel ban

Charges approved in armed stand off: Vancouver Police

Charges approved in armed stand off: Vancouver Police
During a prolonged stand-off, one suspect came out of a suite and was injured by police. He was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Charges approved in armed stand off: Vancouver Police

PM to Freeland: Spend as needed until crisis ends

PM to Freeland: Spend as needed until crisis ends
The detail is contained in updated mandate letters the Prime Minister's Office made public today, months after it reset the parliamentary agenda with a late-September throne speech.

PM to Freeland: Spend as needed until crisis ends

Canada says refugee COVID-19 vaccines offer hope

Canada says refugee COVID-19 vaccines offer hope
Since the pandemic, Canada has committed more than $1 billion to international efforts to buy vaccine doses for low- and middle-income countries.

Canada says refugee COVID-19 vaccines offer hope

Pfizer delaying vaccine deliveries to Canada

Pfizer delaying vaccine deliveries to Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Ottawa was "working day in and day out to get vaccines delivered as quickly as possible" but acknowledged that Pfizer-BioNTech doses have been derailed in the short-term.

Pfizer delaying vaccine deliveries to Canada