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

Record-Breaking $70M Jackpot Available In Friday’s Lotto Max Draw

Record-Breaking $70M Jackpot Available In Friday’s Lotto Max Draw
For the first time ever, a historic $70 million jackpot is available for this Friday’s Lotto Max draw, and someone in British Columbia could start off their 2020 by winning the record-breaking prize.

Record-Breaking $70M Jackpot Available In Friday’s Lotto Max Draw

Surrey Teenager GURBAZ SINGH Survives 150-Metre Fall From Top Of US Mountain

A Surrey teen survived a 150-metre fall from the top of Mount Hood in the US state of Oregon, it was reported.

Surrey Teenager GURBAZ SINGH Survives 150-Metre Fall From Top Of US Mountain

Surrey's 1st Homicide Of 2020: 1 Man Dead, Another In Custody

RCMP confirm they responded to a report of an assault in the city's Strawberry Hill neighbourhood just before 1 a.m.    

Surrey's 1st Homicide Of 2020: 1 Man Dead, Another In Custody

2019 A Record-Breaking Year For B.C. Lottery Winners

From Tumbler Ridge to Richmond, Merritt to Port Alberni, BCLC paid out lottery players in B.C. with a record-breaking $785 million in winnings this year.

2019 A Record-Breaking Year For B.C. Lottery Winners

Montreal's Horse-Drawn Carriage Industry Rides Off Into History, But Not Quietly

MONTREAL - It's the end of the line for King and Maximus, Marilyn and Maya, and the rest of the gentle draft horses that live in an aging stable in Montreal's Griffintown neighbourhood.    

Montreal's Horse-Drawn Carriage Industry Rides Off Into History, But Not Quietly

New Industry Develops Around Sucking Carbon Dioxide Out Of Atmosphere

New Industry Develops Around Sucking Carbon Dioxide Out Of Atmosphere
Somewhere in west Texas, amid one of the most productive oilfields in the continent, a Canadian company is building a plant that it hopes will eventually suck from the air a million tonnes of carbon being pumped out of the ground all around it.    

New Industry Develops Around Sucking Carbon Dioxide Out Of Atmosphere