This afternoon, Erin O’Toole spoke with the United States’ Chargé d’Affaires Katherine Brucker.

Both Mr. O’Toole and Ms. Brucker highlighted the importance of the bilateral relationship between Canada and the United States, especially as we fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms. Brucker and Mr. O’Toole spoke about the US-Canada special committee brought forward by Canada’s Conservatives and how it will advance the bilateral relationship.

Mr. O’Toole spoke about the need for vaccines in order to secure jobs and turn the corner in the pandemic. He raised the issue of working with the United States in order to secure additional vaccines for Canadians.

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. He also raised the potential Line 5 pipeline cancellation and the tremendous economic blow this would cause both countries.

In his conversation with Ms. Brucker, Mr. O’Toole raised the fact that Canada and the United States must work together on key issues such as energy security and environment.

Mr. O’Toole spoke about trade between Canada and the United States. He raised his opposition to the United States’ softwood lumber tariffs. He brought up the Buy American policies and how the economies of both the United States and Canada are connected, adding a joint approach is in the mutual interest of both countries.

Ms. Brucker raised the issue of interprovincial trade, with both her and Mr. O’Toole agreeing for a need to work toward reducing barriers.

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. He also raised the issue of Huawei and the threat it poses to the shared national security interests of both countries. As well, Mr. O’Toole spoke about the abhorrent human rights record of the Chinese government, including the ongoing genocide of Uyghurs in China.
 

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For more information:

Chelsea Tucker
chelsea.tucker@parl.gc.ca
(613) 219-3790

Axel Rioux
axel.rioux@parl.gc.ca
(613) 291-7125