Thursday, July 2, 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

More Than 30K Without Power In BC's Central And Southern Interior, Utility Says

VANCOUVER - BC Hydro says around 34,000 customers in the central and southern Interior woke up to greet the new year without power on Wednesday morning.    

More Than 30K Without Power In BC's Central And Southern Interior, Utility Says

Top CEOs Made As Much As Average Worker Earns In A Year By Mid-Morning Today

Top CEOs Made As Much As Average Worker Earns In A Year By Mid-Morning Today
OTTAWA - A new report says Canada's 100 highest-paid chief executives were paid record amounts in 2018 in comparison to the employees beneath them.

Top CEOs Made As Much As Average Worker Earns In A Year By Mid-Morning Today

Iconic Gander Airport Lounge Aims To Reopen As Hub For Community, Tourists

Iconic Gander Airport Lounge Aims To Reopen As Hub For Community, Tourists
Reg Wright, president and CEO of the airport, says the "glamour of aviation really coloured what the community was."

Iconic Gander Airport Lounge Aims To Reopen As Hub For Community, Tourists

Boy 15, Killed After Altercation Ends In Stabbing At Park In Laval, Que.

Boy 15, Killed After Altercation Ends In Stabbing At Park In Laval, Que.
LAVAL, Que. - A 15-year-old boy is dead and a 16-year-old is in custody after a stabbing in a park north of Montreal.    

Boy 15, Killed After Altercation Ends In Stabbing At Park In Laval, Que.

Minister Says Change Won't Come 'Overnight' As New Indigenous Child-Welfare Law Takes Effect

Minister Says Change Won't Come 'Overnight' As New Indigenous Child-Welfare Law Takes Effect
The new law, Bill C-92, affirms the rights of those communities to enforce their own rules around child and family services.

Minister Says Change Won't Come 'Overnight' As New Indigenous Child-Welfare Law Takes Effect

Delta Police, Fire Departments Called To Tsawwassen Fire

“Fortunately there have been no reported injuries,” says Cris Leykauf, spokesperson for Delta Police.    

Delta Police, Fire Departments Called To Tsawwassen Fire