Tuesday, June 30, 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

Canada Lags Behind Peers In Doctors Per Capita, But Average In Physician Visits

Canada Lags Behind Peers In Doctors Per Capita, But Average In Physician Visits
TORONTO - Canada lags well behind all but the United States among 11 of the wealthiest nations when it comes to the number of doctors per capita, a new report indicates.    

Canada Lags Behind Peers In Doctors Per Capita, But Average In Physician Visits

Hateful Messages Flood Quebec Premier's Facebook Page After He Supports Muslims

ST-SAUVEUR, Que. - Quebec cabinet ministers are speaking out about a deluge of hateful comments posted to the premier's Facebook page after he published a message in support of the province's Muslim community.    

Hateful Messages Flood Quebec Premier's Facebook Page After He Supports Muslims

Bats A Breeding Ground For Viruses, But Unlikely Cause For Concern In Canada

Bats A Breeding Ground For Viruses, But Unlikely Cause For Concern In Canada
SASKATOON - Canadian bats are unlikely to be the source of virus strains that can infect humans such as the one currently raising global alarms, a bat expert says.

Bats A Breeding Ground For Viruses, But Unlikely Cause For Concern In Canada

Chinese Tourists Cancel Trips To Canadian Hotspots Such As Banff, Yellowknife

Tour companies and hotels in destinations popular with Chinese tourists are starting to see cancellations after a new form of virus that has led to mass quarantines and more than 200 deaths in China.    

Chinese Tourists Cancel Trips To Canadian Hotspots Such As Banff, Yellowknife

Canada Not Rushing To Post-Brexit Deal With Britain, As Business Says Keep Calm

OTTAWA - The Trudeau government is heeding widespread calls to apply some British stiff-upper-lip resolve to the United Kingdom's Friday exit from the European Union.    

Canada Not Rushing To Post-Brexit Deal With Britain, As Business Says Keep Calm

New Talks Planned Over Disputed Gas Pipeline In Northern British Columbia

VANCOUVER - Leaders of a First Nation in northern British Columbia who say they'll never consent to a natural gas pipeline through their traditional territory have agreed to seven days of meetings with the province.    

New Talks Planned Over Disputed Gas Pipeline In Northern British Columbia