Whereas road salt is a known toxic substance designated under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act because of tangible threats of serious or irreversible environmental and health damage; and
Whereas salt levels in Ontario’s groundwater aquifers, creeks, rivers, and lakes have increasingly worsened since the 1970s, threatening municipal drinking water sources and aquatic life; and
Whereas over the last 25 years actions taken by the Ontario and Canadian governments have not stopped the increase of salt entering Ontario’s groundwater aquifers, creeks, rivers, and lakes; and
Whereas 66% of the Township of King is located within the Oak Ridges Moraine, which is the source of surface and ground water for the Humber and Holland River watersheds draining into Lake Ontario and Lake Simcoe respectively; and
Whereas in 2024 the Township of King initiated a new salt management plan to reduce the use of road salt; and
Whereas the risk of increased numbers of slips and falls claims, and other injury/collision claims related to snow and ice, is contributing to salt application overuse beyond levels considered best practices; and
Whereas unlimited contractor liability is making it difficult or expensive for snow and ice management contractors to obtain appropriate insurance coverage; and
Whereas the Occupier’s Liability Act does not include provisions for safe winter maintenance practices or minimizing the environmental impact of salt; and
Whereas the Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways do not include specific criteria for salt usage that promote both efficient and responsible application; and
Whereas numerous studies on the negative impacts of salt have recommended solutions involving liability protection, contractor certification, government-approved Best Management Practices (BMPs) and salt management plans; and
Whereas the Snow and Ice Management Sector (SMS) of Landscape Ontario is working with the Ontario government to institute a limited liability regime for snow and ice management, including enforceable contractor training/certification and government-approved BMPs for salt application.
Now therefore be it resolved that:
- The Township of King urges the Province of Ontario to work urgently with key stakeholders to develop limited liability legislation, including enforceable contractor training and a single set of provincially-endorsed standard BMPs for snow and ice management; and
- The Township of King urges the Province of Ontario to create and fund an expert stakeholder advisory committee to advise the Province and Municipalities on the best courses of action to protect freshwater ecosystems and drinking water from the impacts of salt pollution; and
- The Township of King commits to efficiency and environmental stewardship in the use of salt as much as possible while maintaining safe roads and sidewalks; and
- That the Township Clerk send a copy of this resolution to Hon. Todd McCarthy, Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks, Hon. Doug Downey, Attorney General, MPP Stephen Lecce, King-Vaughan, MPP Caroline Mulroney, York-Simcoe, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), Conservation Ontario, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA), Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), and all local area municipalities in York Region, including York Region itself.