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

Air Canada Lays Off More Than 5,000 Flight Attendants Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Air Canada Lays Off More Than 5,000 Flight Attendants Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
MONTREAL - Air Canada is laying off more than 5,100 flight attendants as the country's largest airline cuts routes and parks planes due to COVID-19, a union official says.    

Air Canada Lays Off More Than 5,000 Flight Attendants Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Partial Canada-U.S. Border Closure To Take Effect At Midnight, Trudeau Says

Partial Canada-U.S. Border Closure To Take Effect At Midnight, Trudeau Says
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland described it as a "negative-list approach" — identifying travellers who should not be allowed to cross, rather than those who should — as she urged Canadians and Americans alike to take a breath and give the new bilateral agreement a chance to take effect.

Partial Canada-U.S. Border Closure To Take Effect At Midnight, Trudeau Says

British Columbia Records Eighth Death From COVID-19, Cases Climb To 271

VANCOUVER - British Columbia has recorded an eighth death from COVID-19 as the number of infections climbs to 271 cases.

British Columbia Records Eighth Death From COVID-19, Cases Climb To 271

ICBC Insurance Transactions Available By Phone During COVID-19 Outbreak

ICBC Insurance Transactions Available By Phone During COVID-19 Outbreak
The B.C. government, ICBC and broker partners are taking additional steps to help British Columbians access the insurance services they need without requiring in-person contact.

ICBC Insurance Transactions Available By Phone During COVID-19 Outbreak

Tory Leadership Candidate Rudy Husny Says He's Out Of The Race If Deadlines Don't Move

OTTAWA - Conservative leadership candidate Rudy Husny is calling off his campaign, saying it is just not right to be asking people for money during a public health emergency.

Tory Leadership Candidate Rudy Husny Says He's Out Of The Race If Deadlines Don't Move

Health Canada Acts To Boost Supply Of Hand Sanitizer, Disinfectants, Swabs, Masks

Health Canada Acts To Boost Supply Of Hand Sanitizer, Disinfectants, Swabs, Masks
Due to "unprecedented demand" for such products, Health Canada says it will temporarily allow them to be sold in this country even if they don't meet the normal regulatory requirements.    

Health Canada Acts To Boost Supply Of Hand Sanitizer, Disinfectants, Swabs, Masks