Some gas stations run out as prices drop across B.C.
Drivers were so eager to fill up before gas prices rise again that some stations across British Columbia ran out.
After weeks at around the $2-mark or more, prices dipped a bit over the weekend and remained relatively lower into the start of the week.
It's still expensive to drive, but at an average price of 186.3 cents per litre in the province and 184.8 in Metro Vancouver, it's significantly cheaper to fill up now than back in June when the cost rose to 236.9.
Also impacting supply at times is ongoing maintenance at a refinery south of the border, among other factors.
One person told CTV News the cause for many dry stations is a lack of fuel truck drivers. In an email, they said a contractor that delivers to Esso and Shell was dealing with illnesses, and one that delivers to Chevron was down about one-third of its staffing.
Some stations used tape to block off the pumps Tuesday, including a Chevron in Hope. Red tape blocked drivers from the pump area at a station on Old Hope Princeton Way on Tuesday afternoon.
(Scott Connorton / CTV News Vancouver)
At least one station in Keremeos – where residents have been told to be ready to evacuate at short notice due to a growing fire – was also out of gas on Tuesday.
Others, including in Vancouver, New Westminster and Coquitlam, ran out over the weekend, including one that had no gas in the morning, but was selling it again by the afternoon.
Some just posted signs on the pumps or blocked off the areas, while others set the prices on the signs visible from the road to "0.0" to signify they'd run out.
The prices have been especially high in B.C., and across Canada, since the start of the year, when manufacturers blamed the conflict in Ukraine for high demand and low oil supply.
Following spikes in February, the provincial government promised a one-time rebate of $110 to drivers through the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. Many are still waiting for those cheques into August, though ICBC tells CTV News that they've all been delivered to Canada Post.
But prices have generally stayed high since that time, and in fact records were broken several times since February in many parts of the province.
Still, ICBC said there are no plans for further rebates, and the province refused to offer the tax relief that some of its counterparts imposed. Additionally, it went ahead with a carbon tax increase in April, which also affects gas prices.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery caught on video
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.