Thursday, June 18, 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

Victoria demonstrators add to weekend rallies in B.C. against racism

Victoria demonstrators add to weekend rallies in B.C. against racism
Several thousand people gathered in downtown Victoria Sunday to show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement in the wake of George Floyd's death last month in Minneapolis.

Victoria demonstrators add to weekend rallies in B.C. against racism

Trudeau promises to push police body-cameras with premiers to aid 'transparency'

Trudeau promises to push police body-cameras with premiers to aid 'transparency'
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he's planning to push provincial premiers to equip police with body-worn cameras as a rapid, substantive solution to allegations of racism and brutality.

Trudeau promises to push police body-cameras with premiers to aid 'transparency'

Anti-racism rally in COVID-19 era a balance of competing interests: Trudeau

Anti-racism rally in COVID-19 era a balance of competing interests: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday his decision to attend an anti-black racism rally even amid ongoing restrictions on gatherings related to COVID-19 was a matter of balancing important competing interests.

Anti-racism rally in COVID-19 era a balance of competing interests: Trudeau

Vancouver police are on the lookout for a wanted male and female

Vancouver police are on the lookout for a wanted male and female
Vancouver Police are asking for the public’s help in locating two suspects recently charged and now wanted in relation to a violent sexual assault in Oppenheimer Park in April.

Vancouver police are on the lookout for a wanted male and female

Vancouver Police investigates Vancouver's 4th homicide

Vancouver Police investigates Vancouver's 4th homicide
Vancouver Police are investigating the death of a 37-year-old man who was stabbed in the Strathcona neigbourhood last month.

Vancouver Police investigates Vancouver's 4th homicide

Canada unemployment rate hits new record

Canada unemployment rate hits new record
Canada clawed back 289,600 jobs in May as provincial governments began easing public health restrictions and businesses reopened, Statistics Canada said Friday.

Canada unemployment rate hits new record