The Decibel Why road salt causes Canada billions in damage each year
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Feb 2, 2026 Patrick White, a Globe and Mail water reporter, breaks down why Canada soaks its roads in salt and where it all goes. He talks about how salt melts ice, why some cities use far more, and the surprising places chloride shows up. Hear about damage to pipes, waterways, vegetation and costly infrastructure repairs, plus what alternatives and fixes are being considered.
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Canada's Massive Salt Use
- Canada uses roughly 5–7 million tonnes of salt on public roads annually and possibly double when private use is included.
- That amount equals the weight of about 60 CN Towers and makes Canada the world leader per kilometer in road-salt use.
Temperature Explains High Salt Use
- Road salt works best in the temperature band where most major Canadian cities sit: roughly 0°C to −10°C.
- That sweet spot makes sodium chloride especially effective, driving high usage across populated regions.
Salt's Safety Trade-Off
- Salt lowers water's freezing point so roads stay ice-free down to about −10°C, hugely reducing accidents.
- Studies show de-icing salt can reduce icy-road collisions by around 90%, highlighting its safety value.