Saturday, December 20, 2025
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

Housing market assessments show 'resilience'

Housing market assessments show 'resilience'
Most areas had single-digit price increases with the exception of Vancouver and Squamish, which saw an average boost of 10 per cent for single-family homes.

Housing market assessments show 'resilience'

Diving incident claims the life of a 64-year-old man in West Vancouver

Diving incident claims the life of a 64-year-old man in West Vancouver
WVPD officers are currently assisting the Coroners Service with an investigation into the circumstances leading up to the man’s death

Diving incident claims the life of a 64-year-old man in West Vancouver

Wind, snowfall warnings issued for parts of B.C

Wind, snowfall warnings issued for parts of B.C
Winds of 70 to 90 kilometres per hour are expected for east and west Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast, starting late Tuesday morning and persisting into the evening.

Wind, snowfall warnings issued for parts of B.C

Vancouver Police takes armed man into custody after prolonged stand-off

Vancouver Police takes armed man into custody after prolonged stand-off
The second suspect, a 31-year-old man, remained in the same suite for several hours, however, police were able to negotiate a safe resolution.

Vancouver Police takes armed man into custody after prolonged stand-off

B.C. health order limits staff at industrial sites

B.C. health order limits staff at industrial sites
The Dec. 29 order by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says rising case counts related to the projects have led to transmissions in nearby communities, while straining the capacity of local health-care systems.

B.C. health order limits staff at industrial sites

Bad IT support hurting military operations: Report

Bad IT support hurting military operations: Report
The review found numerous problems in the technical support provided to the military by Shared Services Canada, which took over management of most federal networks in August 2011.

Bad IT support hurting military operations: Report