Panel to release report on fuel shortage that hit Nova Scotia in late August

Municipal Affairs Minister Zach Churchill.
(Photo from The Nova Scotia Legislature website)

HALIFAX—An independent panel will release its report today on the fuel shortage that hit Nova Scotia in late August.

The review, announced in September by Municipal Affairs Minister Zach Churchill, was conducted by Doug Keefe and Alphonse MacNeil.

Keefe is a former deputy minister, and MacNeil is a former RCMP commanding officer in Nova Scotia.

Churchill said the review would look at how the fuel supply management system failed and what improvements are needed to avoid a repetition of the shortages.

The report is also expected to examine ways the industry communicates with the province on fuel supply levels.

Imperial Oil has said the shortage was caused by a delayed marine shipment followed by a delay in conducting product quality testing and processing for an alternate supply.