Friday, June 19, 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

British Columbia records 18 new cases of COVID-19, three new deaths

British Columbia records 18 new cases of COVID-19, three new deaths
British Columbia recorded 18 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, bringing the province's total number of active cases to 310.

British Columbia records 18 new cases of COVID-19, three new deaths

Surrey man caught driving impaired twice in one night

Surrey man caught driving impaired twice in one night
A 37-year-old Surrey man may be facing a long road through the court system after driving impaired twice in one night – only hours apart. On May 18, 2020 shortly before midnight, a Surrey RCMP Frontline officer came across a collision involving an SUV and a sedan in the area of 16 Avenue and 168 Street, and stopped to investigate.

Surrey man caught driving impaired twice in one night

Man charged with discharging a firearm

Man charged with discharging a firearm
A 31-year-old Surrey man has been arrested and charged with discharging a firearm with intent in relation to an incident that occurred during the early morning hours of Wednesay May 20, 2020, in Whalley.

Man charged with discharging a firearm

DARPAN list of top 5 vaccines on the race to find a cure for COVID-19

DARPAN list of top 5 vaccines on the race to find a cure for COVID-19
Darpan takes a look at the 5 vaccines that have blitzed the media as a potential drug to combat COVID-19

DARPAN list of top 5 vaccines on the race to find a cure for COVID-19

Pakistan plane crashes near Karachi airport

Pakistan plane crashes near Karachi airport
A Pakistan International Airlines plane with 107 people on board has crashed in Karachi. The plane came down on houses in the Model Colony area in the city. Airbus A320 was traveling from Lahore.

Pakistan plane crashes near Karachi airport

PM avoids promising federal inquiry into Nova Scotia shooting rampage

PM avoids promising federal inquiry into Nova Scotia shooting rampage
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau won't commit to a federal inquiry into the recent Nova Scotia shootings.

PM avoids promising federal inquiry into Nova Scotia shooting rampage