‘Everyone wants salt’: Salt shortage felt throughout region

Here’s how communities across the region are dealing with the provincial salt shortage.

Salt shortages can be felt throughout the region as significant weather events have forced municipalities to use more than usual.

As residents continue to deal with less than ideal driving conditions, they also might not be able to grab the essential winter item off store shelves.

“So everywhere in Barrie - I’ve been to Walmart, Canadian Tire, even stopped at the Circle K and inquired with them,” said one Barrie resident. “They had some bags, and they told me they weren’t for sale. They were for personal use because of the shortage.”

Local businesses in Barrie are also seeing the pinch when it comes to salt. Brian Horton, sales associate at United Lumber Home Hardware in north Barrie said while they have salt in stock, there’s a limit for how much someone can purchase.

“We limited three bags per person. That way, everyone can get a little bit of the salt instead of focusing on one person,” said Horton. “Everyone’s coming in asking for it right now.”

As residents deal with the lack of salt, city centres like Barrie and Orillia are also acknowledging the shortage.

Dave Friary, director of operations for the City of Barrie said they are doing what they can to conserve salt.

“We certainly don’t want to see a freezing rain event right now, but we’re doing our best to kind of conserve and get the roads cleared safely,” said Friary.

Barrie has used almost 15,000 tonnes of salt so far this year, on track to surpass their average use.

“Typically in an average year, 25,000 tonnes is what we use,” said Friary. “Last year was particularly hard, I would say just over 30,000 tons of salt.”

The City of Orillia is also reporting shortages of salt.

Jason Flemming, manager of road operations for the City of Orillia said they are doing what they can to use less salt.

“There is a shortage right now. We do have a stockpile of about 1,500 to 2,000 metric tonnes,” said Flemming. “We are a little concerned that it may not last throughout the rest of the season, so we are taking measures to conserve salt.”

Residents are being encouraged to use other materials if they can’t find salt.

“They can use sand instead of salt,” said Flemming. “It won’t melt the ice for you, but it’ll give you the traction that you’re looking for.”

Not everyone is affected as Bradford West Gwillimbury and municipalities north of Orillia have reported no issues.

As the region deals with the shortage, the colder weather could help Barrie and Orillia conserve salt, as the mineral is less effective in colder weather and operation teams turn to sand for traction on the roads.