Ontario is facing another road salt shortage in the heart of the 2025–2026 winter season, a situation that is directly affecting road de-icing operations.
According to CBC News, winter arrived earlier than expected and has brought more frequent and intense precipitation, forcing municipalities to draw down their salt reserves much faster than anticipated in order to keep roads passable and safe.
The pressure is so significant that even the Goderich salt mine — the largest underground salt mine in the world — is struggling to keep up with demand.
The operator confirms the mine is running at full capacity, with crews working seven days a week, but a rapid succession of storms has compressed demand into a short period rather than spreading it across the entire winter season.
As a result, deliveries have slowed and road de-icing supplies must be managed carefully.
In response, several municipalities have adjusted their winter road maintenance strategies. Some are rationing salt, increasing the use of sand or abrasive mixtures, and placing greater emphasis on plowing before applying de-icing products. These operational changes help explain why certain road segments can remain icy or appear lightly treated despite hazardous conditions.
Last winter had already placed significant strain on road salt supplies. Following multiple storms and a series of smaller snowfall events, reserves were depleted quickly, especially since salt production levels are based on previous, milder winters. Logistical delays and equipment issues further slowed deliveries, forcing some suppliers to seek salt from outside the province.
Against that backdrop, the current shortage reflects an ongoing challenge rather than an isolated incident — raising particular concern for critical corridors such as the Trans-Canada Highway, Highway 11/17 in Northern Ontario, where winter travel is already especially demanding.
