Sunday, June 28, 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

Russian Bombers Buzz Canadian Airspace In Arctic

Russian Bombers Buzz Canadian Airspace In Arctic
The two TU-160 Blackjack bombers crossed the North Pole and approached Canada from western Russia, but remained in international airspace before departing, according to Norad.

Russian Bombers Buzz Canadian Airspace In Arctic

Federal Coffers Post $11.8 Billion Deficit Just Past Midway Period

OTTAWA - The federal government ran a deficit of $11.8 billion over seven months of its 2019-20 fiscal year compared with a deficit of $2.1 billion in the same period last year.

Federal Coffers Post $11.8 Billion Deficit Just Past Midway Period

Trudeau Says 'Deliberate Process' Underway To Get Canadians Out Of Virus Zone

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is going through a "deliberate process" to airlift nearly 200 Canadians out of the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak in China, while other countries continue to get their citizens home.

Trudeau Says 'Deliberate Process' Underway To Get Canadians Out Of Virus Zone

Ottawa Police Investigate Egging Of Holocaust Monument As A Hate Crime

OTTAWA - Police in Ottawa are looking for a man believed to have thrown eggs at the National Holocaust Monument.

Ottawa Police Investigate Egging Of Holocaust Monument As A Hate Crime

No Need To Change Canada's Plans After Who Declares Global Emergency: Officials

No Need To Change Canada's Plans After Who Declares Global Emergency: Officials
Canada is already taking the right steps to control the spread of the novel coronavirus, so there is no need to change things now that the World Health Organization

No Need To Change Canada's Plans After Who Declares Global Emergency: Officials

Ukraine Airlines CEO Thanks Canada For Help Investigating Tehran Crash

OTTAWA - The head of Ukraine International Airlines is thanking Canada for its part in investigating the crash of one of its planes outside Tehran in early January.    

Ukraine Airlines CEO Thanks Canada For Help Investigating Tehran Crash