Monday, June 22, 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

Provinces Tighten Freedoms, Police Get Help From Citizens In Fight Against COVID-19

Provinces Tighten Freedoms, Police Get Help From Citizens In Fight Against COVID-19
MONTREAL - Police forces in Canada are getting extra powers, more flexibility and even help from citizens reporting on one another as governments seek to enforce decrees aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19.

Provinces Tighten Freedoms, Police Get Help From Citizens In Fight Against COVID-19

Environment Groups, Churches, Unions Ask Oil Bailout For Families, Not Companies

Environment Groups, Churches, Unions Ask Oil Bailout For Families, Not Companies
Some Canadian organizations are asking the federal government to focus any bailout of the oil industry on workers and families, not corporations.    

Environment Groups, Churches, Unions Ask Oil Bailout For Families, Not Companies

Preparing For Battle: Doctor On Front Lines Shares How Health-care Is Changing

Preparing For Battle: Doctor On Front Lines Shares How Health-care Is Changing
TORONTO - Each morning when Dr. Seema Marwaha is preparing for work, she thinks about her husband, her 15-month-old son and the possibility she could bring home a dangerous virus.    

Preparing For Battle: Doctor On Front Lines Shares How Health-care Is Changing

Science Summary: A Look At Novel Coronavirus Research Around The Globe

Thousands of scientists around the world are working on problems raised by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is a summary of some recent research from peer-reviewed academic journals and scientific agencies:

Science Summary: A Look At Novel Coronavirus Research Around The Globe

Airports Now A Challenging 'Petri Dish' For Officials Trying To Prevent Spread Of Virus

Airports Now A Challenging 'Petri Dish' For Officials Trying To Prevent Spread Of Virus
OTTAWA - For one traveller returning to Toronto from Vietnam, the way officials handled arrivals to Canada was startling when compared to strict COVID-19 guidelines in the southeast Asian country.    

Airports Now A Challenging 'Petri Dish' For Officials Trying To Prevent Spread Of Virus

Liberals Back Off Bid For Power In Covid-19 Crisis Under Opposition Fire

Liberals Back Off Bid For Power In Covid-19 Crisis Under Opposition Fire
Hours before introducing a bill to spend up to $82 billion and increase federal powers to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, the Liberals backed off a measure that the Opposition decried as an attempt to get Parliament to sign them a blank cheque.    

Liberals Back Off Bid For Power In Covid-19 Crisis Under Opposition Fire