Wednesday, July 8, 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

Father Fights With Private School Over Alleged Bullying Among 7-Year-Old Girls

The legal saga began with bullying allegations involving two former friends at the all-girls school that runs from kindergarten to Grade 12, but has escalated into a $5.5-million suit filed by the aggrieved father, Andrew Rogerson.

Father Fights With Private School Over Alleged Bullying Among 7-Year-Old Girls

B.C. Chief Ed John Faces Historic Sex Charges: Prosecution Service

VANCOUVER - Ed John, a leader of the First Nations Summit and former British Columbia cabinet minister, is accused of four counts of sexual assault dating back to 1974.    

B.C. Chief Ed John Faces Historic Sex Charges: Prosecution Service

Today's Babies Won't Know Life Without Climate Change, New Report Warns

Today's Babies Won't Know Life Without Climate Change, New Report Warns
The Lancet medical journal's 2019 countdown on health and climate change has dire warnings about the kind of world we might be leaving to future generations.    

Today's Babies Won't Know Life Without Climate Change, New Report Warns

Supreme Court Sides With Naturopath In Manslaughter, Negligence Case

Supreme Court Sides With Naturopath In Manslaughter, Negligence Case
OTTAWA - A Quebec naturopath is not guilty of manslaughter or criminal negligence in the death of an elderly man, the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled.    

Supreme Court Sides With Naturopath In Manslaughter, Negligence Case

Adoption Centre Closes Despite Effort To Save It; B.C. Left With Two Agencies

Adoption Centre Closes Despite Effort To Save It; B.C. Left With Two Agencies
VANCOUVER - Patricia Pearson has dealt with the shock and disappointment of her adoption agency announcing its closure while she was still waiting for a child — twice.    

Adoption Centre Closes Despite Effort To Save It; B.C. Left With Two Agencies

Suspect Arrested After Documents Stolen From Quebec Immigration Minister's Car

Suspect Arrested After Documents Stolen From Quebec Immigration Minister's Car
QUEBEC - A rough stretch for Quebec immigration minister's continues with news that documents he left in his government vehicle were stolen this week.    

Suspect Arrested After Documents Stolen From Quebec Immigration Minister's Car