Wednesday, July 1, 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

Man Convicted Of Sexually Abusing 18 Boys Over Three Decades Released On Parole

Man Convicted Of Sexually Abusing 18 Boys Over Three Decades Released On Parole
The man at the heart of the Maple Leaf Gardens sexual abuse scandal has been released on day parole after officials found he presents a low risk of reoffending.    

Man Convicted Of Sexually Abusing 18 Boys Over Three Decades Released On Parole

Students To Sing National Anthem In Ojibwa At Winnipeg Jets Hockey Game

WINNIPEG - The national anthem before this Friday's NHL game in Winnipeg won't quite sound the way it usually does.    

Students To Sing National Anthem In Ojibwa At Winnipeg Jets Hockey Game

'I Feel That I'm Free.' Refugee And Chocolate Maker Tareq Hadhad Becomes Citizen

HALIFAX - After he took a solemn oath and received his Canadian citizenship Wednesday, Syrian refugee Tareq Hadhad said he was looking forward to becoming an unofficial ambassador for Canada.

'I Feel That I'm Free.' Refugee And Chocolate Maker Tareq Hadhad Becomes Citizen

Sadness And Silence Grips Canada's Universities In Honour Of Plane Crash Victims

A sombre silence fell across Canadian university campuses Wednesday as the institutions honoured the 176 lives lost in a plane crash in Iran last week.    

Sadness And Silence Grips Canada's Universities In Honour Of Plane Crash Victims

Toddler Reunited With Mother After Found Wandering Streets In Just A Diaper

Toddler Reunited With Mother After Found Wandering Streets In Just A Diaper
Durham regional police say a driver spotted the two-year-old walking around the side of a road at around 3:45 a.m. on Wednesday.    

Toddler Reunited With Mother After Found Wandering Streets In Just A Diaper

New Westminster Philanthropist Plans to Continue Giving Back After $675,000 Set for Life Win

My husband and I are big supporters of programs that encourage women to go into the fields of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and early childhood development

New Westminster Philanthropist Plans to Continue Giving Back After $675,000 Set for Life Win