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

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. Still, the unemployment rate in May rose to 13.7 per cent, the highest level in more than four decades of comparable data.

Canada unemployment rate hits new record

Anti-racism protesters march in Toronto; Trudeau calls systemic racism real

Anti-racism protesters march in Toronto; Trudeau calls systemic racism real
The head of Toronto's police service took a public knee on Friday in solidarity with marching anti-racism demonstrators protesting police killings of black people, with similar demonstrations planned in other Canadian cities.

Anti-racism protesters march in Toronto; Trudeau calls systemic racism real

Trudeau offers $14B to provinces for anti-COVID-19 efforts through rest of year

Trudeau offers $14B to provinces for anti-COVID-19 efforts through rest of year
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is offering $14 billion to the provincial and territorial governments for measures to keep COVID-19 at bay.

Trudeau offers $14B to provinces for anti-COVID-19 efforts through rest of year

Vancouver doubles height for mass-timber development from six to twelve storeys

Vancouver doubles height for mass-timber development from six to twelve storeys
Amendments to the city's building bylaw approved by Council last week will allow mass timber construction up to 12 storeys for residential and commercial uses, doubling the current height limit of 6 storeys. With changes taking effect on July 1, permitting taller mass timber construction within the Building By-law will make it easier to build with low carbon materials, support housing affordability, and remove barriers for the construction industry at a time of crisis and economic recovery.

Vancouver doubles height for mass-timber development from six to twelve storeys

COVID-19 modeling data highlights safe distancing benefits as B.C. reopens

COVID-19 modeling data highlights safe distancing benefits as B.C. reopens
New COVID-19 modelling information highlights the virus-fighting benefits of safe distancing protocols as British Columbia reopens the province while the pandemic progresses.

COVID-19 modeling data highlights safe distancing benefits as B.C. reopens

Top Mountie in Kelowna transferred after videos show officer punching suspect

Top Mountie in Kelowna transferred after videos show officer punching suspect
The top Mountie in Kelowna, B.C., has been transferred to another job days after videos emerged of an officer punching a suspect. Supt. Brent Mundle is taking a new position with the senior management team of the force's Southeast Division based in the Okanagan city.

Top Mountie in Kelowna transferred after videos show officer punching suspect