Tuesday, June 23, 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

US To Surpass China By April, Be New Epicentre: Chinese Experts

The pandemic is worsening sharply in New York, and the states of California and Washington.

US To Surpass China By April, Be New Epicentre: Chinese Experts

Retailers Careful Handling Cash While WHO Says Currency Doesn't Transmit COVID

Retailers Careful Handling Cash While WHO Says Currency Doesn't Transmit COVID
VANCOUVER - Dirty money has taken on a new meaning as the war on the novel coronavirus ramps up.

Retailers Careful Handling Cash While WHO Says Currency Doesn't Transmit COVID

B.C. Provincial Health Officer Assures Health-Care Workers In COVID-19 Fight

VANCOUVER - British Columbia's provincial health officer offered support Friday to health-care workers in the province that has the highest number of COVID-19 cases, saying there are enough supplies for them to safely do their jobs.    

B.C. Provincial Health Officer Assures Health-Care Workers In COVID-19 Fight

Call For Covid-19 Protective Equipment Spurs College, Distiller, TV Show To Help

VICTORIA - The novel coronavirus shut down the respiratory therapy program at Fanshawe College but that didn't stop the school from supplying much needed frontline equipment to fight COVID-19.    

Call For Covid-19 Protective Equipment Spurs College, Distiller, TV Show To Help

B.C. Orders Personal Service Establishments Closed, Including Salons, Spas

VANCOUVER - British Columbia's provincial health officer is ordering all salons, spas, and tattoo parlours to close in the latest measure aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19.    

B.C. Orders Personal Service Establishments Closed, Including Salons, Spas

The Latest Developments On Covid-19 In Canada

The latest news on the COVID-19 global pandemic (all times eastern):

The Latest Developments On Covid-19 In Canada