Hunt for gas forcing many to drive across Ottawa to fill up cars, generators
City officials say gas supply issues and long lineups at the pumps should be resolved as soon as hydro is restored.
Since the massive storm hit the capital Saturday, many gas stations were heavily damaged, while others were left without power and unable to pump gas. That has led to long lineups at the gas stations that do have power, and the increased demand has forced many to run out of fuel during the day.
“Our EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) has identified that the three main suppliers have had powers issues and that is one of the issues,” General Manager of Emergency & Protectives Services Kim Ayotte says. “I was out on the road today, there were service stations open, not long lineups.”
Ayotte says the situation is improving. He adds the city’s supply is stable.
“We are there to help, we have reached out,” Ayotte said. “I know from a city supply perspective, our supply chain has been good and we have a full supply from an emergency perspective. We continue to work on that and continue to assess it.”
However, it has been a frustrating few days for many drivers on the hunt to fill up. Michael Skeggs runs a landscaping company and says it has been like “a treasure hunt” to find fuel for his company’s fleet.
“We will call it gold! That’s what we will call it, because everyone is trying to find it, some people are really anxious. Everyone is in full on panic mode,” he tells CTV News.
Frank Ondrovik lives near Merivale Road, one of the hardest hit areas. He was forced to drive around the city to find gas not just for his truck, but for the generator powering his home.
“We lost power at home, so I am doing both,” he said. “My business is also around the corner and we have no power, so it has been quite the adventure.”
One station on Carling Avenue ran out of regular gas shortly after the lunch hour, but was selling Ultra gas for the same price. Veronica Morales was one driver who arrived to fill up, very close to empty. “This morning I came here, they had regular, but the line-up was so big, I left, then I came back, and they are selling ultra for the same price.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'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.