Ontario’s Road Salt Shortage: What’s Going on and What It Means for Snow Services
As winter grips Ontario with heavy snow and ice, a new challenge is emerging for the snow-clearing world: a shortage of road salt. For the second winter in a row, private snow removal contractors across the province are struggling to secure enough salt to keep drives, parking lots, and walkways safe. (CityNews Toronto)
Unlike municipalities, which often have long-term contracts and priority access to salt supplies, many private contractors are being squeezed out of the supply chain entirely. Suppliers have begun rationing salt early in the season, and deliveries to non-municipal buyers have slowed or stopped, forcing some businesses to hunt for alternative sources — sometimes from out of province — at rising prices. (CityNews Toronto) Additionally, many municipalities are salting at 25% to extend supplies.
Why the shortage?
Industry insiders point to a mix of high demand from earlier and frequent snowfalls, depleted inventories from last winter, and production planning that didn’t anticipate this season’s severity. Salt supply chains are also under pressure due to limited storage at mines and logistical challenges. (CityNews Toronto) As a result, wholesale prices have climbed sharply, with some contractors reporting salt costs nearly triple what they were last season. (CityNews Toronto)
What this means for snow services:
- Higher costs and tighter supplies — Smaller snow-clearing companies may need to raise prices or limit services due to the increased cost of de-icing materials and difficulty securing them. (CityNews Toronto)
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Operational changes — Some contractors are rethinking how they manage snow and ice, placing greater emphasis on strategic plowing before salting, and using alternatives like sand or ice melt where possible. (landscapeontario.com)
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Customer expectations vs. reality — Property owners accustomed to aggressive salting may need to adjust expectations this winter, as contractors balance safety with limited resources. (landscapeontario.com)
- Municipal priority — Cities and towns are maintaining their supplies to ensure public roads stay safe, but this practice can leave private lots and services at the back of the line when inventory is tight. (CityNews Toronto)
