Menu

Topics

Connect

Comments

Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.

Erin O’Toole pushes U.S. envoy to Canada to preserve Line 5, Keystone XL pipelines

Leader of the Opposition Erin O'Toole gestures as he responds to a question from a reporter during a news conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Thursday February 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

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.

Story continues below advertisement

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.

READ MORE: Imperial, Suncor make contingency plans despite ‘low probability’ of Line 5 shutdown 

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.

Watch below: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to questions Wednesday regarding the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline project, including an attempt by Michigan to shut down Enbridge’s Line 5.

The U.S. embassy in Ottawa declined to comment on the Wednesday conversation between Brucker and O’Toole.

Story continues below advertisement

But the Conservative leader’s office released its own readout of the meeting.

READ MORE: Most Canadians, including most Albertans, appear to be ready to give up on Keystone XL pipeline: poll 

“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.”

READ MORE: Conservatives call for special committee devoted to Canada-U.S. relations

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.

Story continues below advertisement

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement

You are viewing an Accelerated Mobile Webpage.

View Original Article