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

Health Officials Explain Why Not Everyone Can Get Swabbed For COVID-19 Right Now

TORONTO - Canada's top public health officer says supply limitations are forcing COVID-19 testing centres "to be smart" about who they can assess for the respiratory illness while Health Canada rushes to approve commercial testing kits.    

Health Officials Explain Why Not Everyone Can Get Swabbed For COVID-19 Right Now

The Latest Numbers Of Covid-19 Cases In Canada As Of March 17, 2020

The latest numbers of confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases in Canada as of 11 a.m. ET on March 17, 2020:    

The Latest Numbers Of Covid-19 Cases In Canada As Of March 17, 2020

Commons Likely To Sit Again To Pass Economic Response To Covid-19, Trudeau Says

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Parliament will likely sit again to pass emergency measures for the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.    

Commons Likely To Sit Again To Pass Economic Response To Covid-19, Trudeau Says

Quebec Warns No Emergency Shelters For Spring Flooding Amid Covid-19 Outbreak

MONTREAL - Quebec's public security minister is warning that due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, the province will not be able to open emergency shelters in the event of spring flooding.    

Quebec Warns No Emergency Shelters For Spring Flooding Amid Covid-19 Outbreak

COVID-19 Pandemic Brings Out The Best In Many Canadian Communities

On a weekend when many Canadians were getting themselves ready to weather the COVID-19 pandemic, Jennifer Teufel-Shatilla was figuring out how to help others do so.    

COVID-19 Pandemic Brings Out The Best In Many Canadian Communities

Military Looking To Boost Ability To Respond To More Natural Disasters: Vance

Military Looking To Boost Ability To Respond To More Natural Disasters: Vance
OTTAWA - Gen. Jonathan Vance says the Canadian military will take a hard look at how to respond to the skyrocketing number of requests for assistance with climate-related emergencies.    

Military Looking To Boost Ability To Respond To More Natural Disasters: Vance