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

Shots Fired In Langley Sunday Night, Stolen Vehicles Found Abandoned

Shots Fired In Langley Sunday Night, Stolen Vehicles Found Abandoned
Shortly before 10:00 pm last night (March 15th), Langley RCMP attended the area of 201 Street and 53A Avenue after receiving multiple reports of shots fired.

Shots Fired In Langley Sunday Night, Stolen Vehicles Found Abandoned

Clothing Retailer Aritzia Closing Stores Until Further Notice Due To COVID-19

Clothing Retailer Aritzia Closing Stores Until Further Notice Due To COVID-19
The retailer says it feels it's the best decision for its people, clients, partners and community as a whole.

Clothing Retailer Aritzia Closing Stores Until Further Notice Due To COVID-19

Corona Cure Hopes Rise As Canadian Scientists Isolate Virus, Indian-Origin Postdoctoral Student Arinjay Banerjee In Key Role

The isolation of the virus by researchers from Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital, the University of Toronto and McMaster University in Waterloo raised hopes for a cure for COVID-19.

Corona Cure Hopes Rise As Canadian Scientists Isolate Virus, Indian-Origin Postdoctoral Student Arinjay Banerjee In Key Role

Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing Could Also Reduce Spread In Canada: Epidemiologist

VANCOUVER - Drive-thru clinics testing people for COVID-19 in South Korea could serve as a model for Canada, where the spread of the virus is comparatively limited but increasing to the point that such early interventions could be considered, an epidemiologist says.    

Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing Could Also Reduce Spread In Canada: Epidemiologist

Large Cultural, Social Events Cancelled In Vancouver, Surrey, To Battle COVID

Large Cultural, Social Events Cancelled In Vancouver, Surrey, To Battle COVID
VANCOUVER - British Columbia's two largest cities, Vancouver and Surrey, are complying with the latest directions from the provincial health officer to cancel all gatherings of more than 250 people, in order to limit the spread of COVID-19.    

Large Cultural, Social Events Cancelled In Vancouver, Surrey, To Battle COVID

B.C. Health Officials Advise Against Travel Outside Canada, 250-Plus Gatherings

VANCOUVER - Health officials in British Columbia are advising against all non-essential travel outside of Canada including to the United States as COVID-19 continues its global spread.    

B.C. Health Officials Advise Against Travel Outside Canada, 250-Plus Gatherings