Toronto Faces Road Salt Shortage After Record Snowstorm

Toronto is currently grappling with a significant shortage of road salt following a recent record-breaking snowstorm. Residents are finding empty shelves at local stores, with only a few outlets managing to stock road salt.

Road Salt Availability in Toronto

A survey conducted by CTV News Toronto involving 14 stores and gas stations revealed a dire inventory situation. Only three locations had road salt available for purchase. Many stores reported that their supplies sold out quickly after restocking.

Inventory Challenges

• One gas station reported no shipments for three to four weeks.
• Another business noted a provincewide shortage of road salt.
• Home Depot Canada stated they are attempting to manage their road salt inventory.
• Major retailers like Walmart and RONA did not provide comments on the shortages.

Online shopping options indicate similar challenges. Many locations of Canadian Tire have run out of 10-kilogram bags of Sifto’s Safe Step Ice Salt, although select stores still have limited supplies. For instance, the Thornhill location had 93 bags while the Brampton store offered 205 bags.

Reasons Behind the Shortage

Draglam Salt, Ontario’s largest independent salt distributor, has acknowledged ongoing challenges in sourcing road salt. The frequent winter weather events this season have notably diminished industry stockpiles. They suggest using sand and salt blends for traction and to reduce overall salt usage.

Municipal Response

Mayor Olivia Chow has reached out to provincial authorities for assistance in snow clearance, emphasizing the need to prioritize residential streets and intersections. Despite Ontario housing significant local salt providers, supplies have substantially declined.

Global Salt Supply Issues

Interestingly, the world’s largest underground salt mine, located in Goderich, is sufficient in quantity but is primarily owned by an American company, Compass Minerals. This has led to most of the extracted salt being exported across the border, exacerbating local shortages.

The Ministry of Transportation has stated that the road salt available for servicing the province’s highways remains adequate. Nonetheless, severe snowfall is anticipated soon, with forecasts predicting an additional two to five centimeters of snow.

Residents are encouraged to share their experiences regarding road salt availability in Toronto by reaching out via email to [email protected]. Their stories may contribute to future news updates.