Winnipeg courier says many in ‘question phase’ as fuel-supply issue faces Manitoba

Richard Eastland knows the streets of Winnipeg better than most. 

“I’m the guy you definitely want to hang out with,” he says as he navigates the busy downtown streets. “Because if there’s a shortcut out there, I know it. Believe me; I know every shortcut in the city.” 

Making dozens of deliveries a day as a driver for Rene Couriers, he’s been driving the city for six years and depends heavily on his car, and the fuel inside for a chunk of his income. 

Walking towards a pick-up on Hargrave, the man, who sports a head of long, grey hair, says he’s not too stressed about a potential fuel shortage, caused by the shut-down of an Imperial Oil Pipeline for repairs. 

But the issue is on the mind of his fellow drivers, all of whom depend on the flow of fuel. 

“I’m hearing that there’s places that are running out of fuel,” he says as he walks at a hurried pace. “So some of our drivers are talking about filling up their tank for whatever good that’ll do. If this is a three-month thing, filling up your tank is going to last you about two days.” 

Bouncing around from one stop to the next, he’s driving constantly. He estimates he spends roughly $50 on gas a day, as he lives outside the city, and says daily refueling is a must for him and others who rely on a problem-free experience at the pumps, he says there are a lot of questions, but few answers. 

“Well, it’s only just started,” he said. “Right now, we’re in the question phase. People are asking questions like: ‘how long is this going to last? Is it going to impact us?’” 

He says if things get really bad, he hopes there’s priority given to people who rely on gasoline for their jobs, almost like an essential worker during COVID-19, or companies call their employees home to reduce consumption, and the gas supply situation isn’t just on Eastland’s mind.

Earlier this week the Government of Manitoba said the province will be able to compensate for gas usually delivered through the pipeline, by bringing gas in on truck and by train, Premier Wab Kinew addressing the situation in Lac Du Bonnet Thursday morning. 

“We also need to make sure that supply is being equitable across the different regions who need it, across the different sectors of the economy – we’re heading into seeding season as well – but also to all the different retailers of fuel in our province,” he said. “We’ve communicated this directly to the oil and gas companies.” 

Continuing on his deliveries, walkie-talkie in hand, ready for another dispatch, Eastland says he’s confident the government will come through, but admits if the fuel dries up completely, this specific cash flow will dry up too. 

“You can’t do these deliveries by foot,” he said.