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

Mountie warned against arresting Meng on plane

Mountie warned against arresting Meng on plane
Sgt. Ross Lundie says he had concerns about the suggestion "right off the bat" when the officers tasked with executing the arrest raised it on Nov. 30, 2018.

Mountie warned against arresting Meng on plane

Provinces push Freeland to halt CPP premium hike

Provinces push Freeland to halt CPP premium hike
The first premium bump was in 2019, another was earlier this year and the next is due at the beginning of 2021.

Provinces push Freeland to halt CPP premium hike

Federal Court turns away airfare class-action suit

Federal Court turns away airfare class-action suit
Justice Michael Manson says in a decision today that a proposed class-action lawsuit seeking certification is outside the Federal Court's jurisdiction, even though air travel is a federal area of responsibility.

Federal Court turns away airfare class-action suit

Charges laid in alleged illegal gambling bust

Charges laid in alleged illegal gambling bust
Two Burnaby residents, a Delta man and one from New Westminster, all aged between 36 and 58, are now charged with being in a common gaming or betting house.

Charges laid in alleged illegal gambling bust

First vaccine approval expected mid-December

First vaccine approval expected mid-December
Dr. Supriya Sharma says the Health Canada review is most advanced for the vaccine being developed by Pfizer and BioNTech.

First vaccine approval expected mid-December

Police have person of interest in Sherman murders

Police have person of interest in Sherman murders
The founder of generic pharmaceutical company Apotex and his wife were killed inside their Toronto mansion in December 2017.

Police have person of interest in Sherman murders