Gasoline Rationing Begins On Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island drivers are being limited in how much gasoline they can buy until the end of November.

On Friday, the B.C. government announced that individual drivers will only be able to buy a maximum of 30 litres of gasoline per trip to the gas station.

The order is in effect until Dec. 1 on Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, the Gulf Islands, the Sunshine Coast and the Sea-to-Sky region.

"We have a steady supply of gas to support all our essential vehicles and we will get through these restrictions together by staying calm, only buying what we need and looking out for each other," said B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth on Friday.

"These measures are necessary during temporary shortages as work is under way to re-establish B.C.’s fuel supply."

The province says gas stations must be responsible for ensuring reserves last until December 1st.

"Anyone who is abusive, threatening or belligerent to gas station workers can be subject to a fine under the order," said the provincial government in a release Friday.

"It's 10 to 11 days where we'll have to pull together as a province, particularly in the Lower Mainland. If we do that we'll succeed," added Farnowrth. "If you only need a quarter tank, please leave some for the person behind you. I'd like to thank the gas and energy companies who are making significant efforts to source fuel for British Columbia."

Gas stations and wholesale distributors will be barred from price gouging, as will residents with respect to reselling gas.