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

Trudeau steers clear of Meng plea-deal reports

Trudeau steers clear of Meng plea-deal reports
Trudeau refused, like U.S. officials, to acknowledge a Wall Street Journal report that Justice Department lawyers have approached Meng's legal team about the possibility of a so-called deferred prosecution agreement.

Trudeau steers clear of Meng plea-deal reports

Survey finds pandemic health inequity in B.C.

Survey finds pandemic health inequity in B.C.
Dr. Reka Gustafson says emergencies tend to worsen social disparities that affect health and access to health care, which is confirmed by the data released today from a survey of nearly 400,000 people.

Survey finds pandemic health inequity in B.C.

Pace of job gains slows to 62,000 in November

Pace of job gains slows to 62,000 in November
The gains were mostly focused in full-time work with a gain of 99,000 jobs, offset somewhat by a decline in part-time work of 37,000 positions, Statistics Canada reported Friday.

Pace of job gains slows to 62,000 in November

High-risk B.C. seniors get COVID-19 vaccine first

High-risk B.C. seniors get COVID-19 vaccine first
Henry says limited amounts of a vaccine will be available at first, but more details about the plan will be provided next week.

High-risk B.C. seniors get COVID-19 vaccine first

Fraser Health opens new COVID19 testing site in South Surrey

Fraser Health opens new COVID19 testing site in South Surrey
The new site will be located at 3800 King George Highway, at TransLink’s South Surrey Park and Ride at the junction of Highway 99. It will offer increased access to testing, and will process between 500 and 700 tests per day when operating at full capacity.

Fraser Health opens new COVID19 testing site in South Surrey

Canada ignoring climate change costs: report

Canada ignoring climate change costs: report
In a report released today, the Institute for Climate Choices adds those costs are only the start of what's coming.

Canada ignoring climate change costs: report