Ontario Faces Shortage as Canadian Road Salt Ships to U.S.
Ontario is currently facing a serious shortage of road salt, a vital resource for winter safety. This situation arises despite the province housing the world’s largest underground salt mine in Goderich. With harsh winter conditions, municipalities across Ontario are running low on supplies, leading to operational adjustments.
Concerns Over Ontario’s Road Salt Supply
Many cities, including London and Pickering, are grappling with dwindling road salt reserves. London has implemented “operational adjustments” to safeguard its remaining stock. In Pickering, officials have warned that current supplies need to be used sparingly to last through the winter months.
Impact on Contractors and Communities
The shortage is not restricted to provincial operations. Private contractors and individuals are also feeling the effects. Dave Gerow, president of Triple J Contracting, notes that many municipalities are nearing empty while winter events, such as storms, loom. He emphasizes that although Ontario has large salt mines, the province is experiencing a supply chain issue that has led to the current situation.
Production and Shipping Dynamics
Goderich’s salt mine, owned by Compass Minerals, produces around 7.25 million tons of salt annually, with a capacity of 9 million tons. Yet, despite this abundance, trucks are often lined up waiting to transport salt to Ontario towns. Meanwhile, substantial quantities are being shipped to the U.S., raising questions about local shortages.
Governmental Response and Insights
Questions have been directed to Premier Doug Ford regarding the export of Ontario-produced salt during a local shortage. However, Premier Ford’s office redirected inquiries to the Ministry of Transportation, which maintained that its salt supply for highways remains sufficient. This has left many city officials and contractors frustrated with the lack of direct answers.
Challenges for Vendors and Future Projections
- Bowman’s Home Hardware in Cambridge is seeking new suppliers to meet increasing demand.
- Distributors are facing long wait times at the port in Montreal, where salt is imported from locations like Egypt.
- Reports indicate that the price of salt has more than doubled in recent months.
With ongoing supply chain challenges, some commercial distributors predict that shortages may persist into the next winter season. There are increasing calls for governmental intervention to prevent a complete depletion of road salt in Ontario.
