Monday, December 22, 2025
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

2020 worst year for refugee resettlement: UN

2020 worst year for refugee resettlement: UN
With nearly 168 countries implementing border and travel restrictions, millions of displaced people around the globe were stuck, unable to either return to their home countries or move to others.

2020 worst year for refugee resettlement: UN

CSIS data use may have broken law: watchdog

CSIS data use may have broken law: watchdog
The National Security and Intelligence Review Agency's report found CSIS lacked the policies or procedures to ensure it sought legal advice to avoid unlawful use of the data.

CSIS data use may have broken law: watchdog

Vancouver Police looking for man for alleged stabbing

Vancouver Police looking for man for alleged stabbing
Chartrand allegedly stabbed two people inside their home near Joyce Street and Boundary Road on November 3, 2019.

Vancouver Police looking for man for alleged stabbing

Oil bubbling up from decades-old shipwreck in B.C.

Oil bubbling up from decades-old shipwreck in B.C.
The Canadian Coast Guard says a fuel-like sheen was investigated in September and was thought to be bilge discharge from a ship, but the problem continued and a deeper look uncovered the historic wreckage.

Oil bubbling up from decades-old shipwreck in B.C.

24 year old man pleads guilty to arson charges after setting fire to Langara College

24 year old man pleads guilty to arson charges after setting fire to Langara College
Nasradin Abdusamad Ali, 24, pled guilty this week to deliberately setting fire at Langara College after two devices were detonated inside the school on April 1, 2019.

24 year old man pleads guilty to arson charges after setting fire to Langara College

No mechanism to block private vaccine sales

No mechanism to block private vaccine sales
However, Patty Hajdu said publicly bought COVID-19 vaccines will not be available for private purchase.

No mechanism to block private vaccine sales