Drivers struggle to navigate Mapleview Drive in Barrie, Ont. on Friday Nov. 28, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Drost
Some municipalities in Ontario and private contractors are combining salt with sand and other materials to tackle ice and snow this winter as the province is experiencing a serious road salt shortage due to soaring demand.
Joe Salemi, executive director of Landscape Ontario, mentioned that the shortage stems from various reasons, including an especially tough and snowy winter along with limited domestic supply because of increased rock salt exports to the United States.
“One of the biggest reasons – there has been a lot more snow events this winter, and a lot of smaller snow events, which require a lot more salt,” Salemi said in a phone interview.
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He also pointed out that recent snowstorms in the U. S. have led to an unusual surge in demand for Canadian salt.
“It seems like there’s more that’s being shipped to the United States that’s actually being used here in our own country,” he said.
In recent weeks, several municipalities reported they had to change their winter snow removal strategies because of the road salt shortage. The City of Pickering stated this involves mixing salt with sand or other de-icing agents and applying it after a storm when it’s more effective.
The City of London noted that an early start to winter has strained its road salt supplies and upcoming deliveries. It indicated crews “will be plowing major roads more frequently to reduce the need for salt,” resulting in slower snow removal on residential streets.
Brockville, located east of Kingston, mentioned it has “significantly limited salt availability” due to wintry weather conditions, frequent freeze-thaw cycles, along with supply and transportation challenges.
“Staff anticipated this possibility and prepared as best we could by building stockpiles earlier in the season; however, remaining supplies are now limited and being carefully managed,” the city stated last week.
Dave Friary, Barrie’s director of operations, mentioned that the city’s salt inventory is also running low due to “sporadic” supplies.
“But we’re doing our best to use best practices and put salt down when needed, plow a little bit more, mix it with sand and salt mixture,” he said in a phone interview.
Friary suggested that Barrie might need to store additional road salt for next winter.
“We will certainly review everything after this winter and we’ll make the necessary adjustments,” he said.
He explained that typically they use a mix of sand and salt on residential roads before cleaning up during springtime.
“With the extra usage of sand this year … (the cleaning operation) will take a little bit longer,” he said.
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By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Central Ontario Broadcasting, 431 Huronia Rd, Barrie, Ontario, CA,
https://www. cobroadcasting. com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the Safe Unsubscribe® link found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact Even though there’s a shortage going on, Friary confirmed Barrie is buying its salt at a fixed price. However, many private snow-removal contractors don’t share that advantage as their inventories run low quickly according to Salemi from Landscape Ontario. The cost for one ton of rock salt has soared from about $70 up nearly $300 in Ontario. This poses problems for contractors who can be held liable if someone slips on ice even if they don’t have access to enough salt,
Salemi noted. Said he thinks given ongoing “geopolitical storm” plus trade disputes with the U. S., limiting exportation might not be ideal but hopes something can be done about ensuring consistent availability of “this critical mineral source” so Ontarians stay safe during winters. The company operating what’s known as world’s largest salt mine situated in Goderich,
Ont., reported its teams are working around-the-clock supplying rock salt throughout customers across both Great Lakes regions as well St. Lawrence Seaway areas.
“Shipments are strategically managed to meet demand in both Canada and northern U. S., moving via vessels calling ports both countries while hundreds truckloads daily delivering customers within served markets,” Compass Minerals declared through statement. “Ongoing winter conditions continue create unique supply chain challenges including narrower shipping windows since lake ice potentially limits vessel mobility.” In Toronto though even record-breaking January snowfall followed by deep freeze didn’t affect city’s road salt supply officials claimed. A spokesperson shared no shortages experienced during season thanks three “exclusive suppliers consistently providing sufficient amount keeping infrastructure secure.” This report by The Canadian Press was first Feb 4th , 2026. What do you think about article ?
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https://www. cobroadcasting. com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the Safe Unsubscribe® link found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact Even though there’s a shortage going on, Friary confirmed Barrie is buying its salt at a fixed price. However, many private snow-removal contractors don’t share that advantage as their inventories run low quickly according to Salemi from Landscape Ontario. The cost for one ton of rock salt has soared from about $70 up nearly $300 in Ontario. This poses problems for contractors who can be held liable if someone slips on ice even if they don’t have access to enough salt,
Salemi noted. Said he thinks given ongoing “geopolitical storm” plus trade disputes with the U. S., limiting exportation might not be ideal but hopes something can be done about ensuring consistent availability of “this critical mineral source” so Ontarians stay safe during winters. The company operating what’s known as world’s largest salt mine situated in Goderich,
Ont., reported its teams are working around-the-clock supplying rock salt throughout customers across both Great Lakes regions as well St. Lawrence Seaway areas.
“Shipments are strategically managed to meet demand in both Canada and northern U. S., moving via vessels calling ports both countries while hundreds truckloads daily delivering customers within served markets,” Compass Minerals declared through statement. “Ongoing winter conditions continue create unique supply chain challenges including narrower shipping windows since lake ice potentially limits vessel mobility.” In Toronto though even record-breaking January snowfall followed by deep freeze didn’t affect city’s road salt supply officials claimed. A spokesperson shared no shortages experienced during season thanks three “exclusive suppliers consistently providing sufficient amount keeping infrastructure secure.” This report by The Canadian Press was first Feb 4th , 2026. What do you think about article ?
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