Code of practice for the environmental management of road salts
Annual Overview of data reported for 2019 to 2022 in the context of national targets
Alternate format
Overview
In December 2014, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) set 7 Performance Indicators and National Targets in order to monitor the effectiveness of the Code of Practice for the Environmental Management of Road Salts (the Code).
Federal, provincial, municipal, and private road organizations that adopted the Code reported the following results (Figure 1) which are compared with the National Targets (#1 to 6) set for 2019 (Target #7 is set for 2024). Data submitted in annual reports is compiled and analyzed for a winter period, which is generally from November of one year to April of the next year. Throughout the report, a reporting year is represented by the final year of that winter (for example 2022 represents the winter starting in 2021 and ending in 2022). Note that some year-to-year variation in results exists due to variance in the number of reports submitted annually.
Figure 1: Summary results for performance and comparison to national targets
![See long description below](/content/canadasite/en/environment-climate-change/services/pollutants/road-salts/code-practice-environmental-management-overview-data/_jcr_content/par/mwsadaptiveimage/image.img.png/1705332691904.png)
Long description
This horizontal bar graph presents the 7 national targets and the results against those targets for the following years:
- 2014
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
Targets 1 to 7 go from top to bottom. Note that there are two indicators for Target 6: 6a and 6b. For each target, 6 horizontal bars are grouped. The bottom bar represents the target itself. The other 5 bars are results for:
- 2014
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- Target 1: Number of submissions (percentage of 220)
The target is set at 100% by 2019. Results are:- 103% in 2022
- 100% in 2021
- 99% in 2020
- 98% in 2019
- 92% in 2014
- Target 2: Annual review of salt management plans
The target is set at 100% by 2019. Results are:- 57% in 2022
- 57% in 2021
- 56% in 2020
- 62% in 2019
- 60% in 2014
- Target 3: Salt storage – Road salts
The target is set at 100% by 2019. Results are:- 99% in 2022
- 100% in 2021
- 100% in 2020
- 97% in 2019
- 100% in 2014
- Target 4: Salt storage – Treated abrasives
The target is set at 75% by 2019. Results are:- 69% in 2022
- 72% in 2021
- 69% in 2020
- 72% in 2019
- 67% in 2014
- Target 5: Salt application – Electronic controllers
The target is set at 95% by 2019. Results are:- 99% for 2022
- 94% for 2021
- 95% in 2020
- 93% in 2019
- 93% in 2014
- Target 6a: Salt application – Organizations using pre-wetting or pre-treated salt
The target is set at 95% by 2019. Results are:- 66% in 2022 and 2021.
- 69% in 2020
- 65% in 2019 and 2014.
- Target 6b: Salt application – Vehicles equipped for pre-wetting
Target is set at 75% by 2019. Results are:- 69% in 2022
- 68% in 2021
- 66% in 2020
- 65% in 2019
- 67% in 2014.
- Target 7: Salt vulnerable areas identified & action plan
The last target is set at 95% by 2024. Results are:- 36% in 2022
- 32% in 2021 and 2020
- 35% in 2019
- 22% in 2014
Highlights*: 2022 reported data in the context of National Targets
Results reported for winter 2021 to 2022:
- 226 road organizations, including 7 provinces, 1 territory, 203 municipalities, 4 private road organizations, 11 national parks and other federal organizations, reported under the Code (target is 220).
- 57% annually reviewed their road salt management plan (target is 100%).
- 99% of their road salts are under a permanent roof and on impermeable pads (target is 100%).
- 69% of their treated abrasives are covered (target is 75%).
- 99% of their vehicles are equipped with groundspeed electronic controllers (target is 95%).
- 66% are using pre-wetting or pre-treated salts (target is 95%).
- 69% of their vehicles are equipped for pre-wetting (target is 75%).
- 36% of road organizations have identified their salt vulnerable areas and have prepared an action plan (target is 95%, set for 2024).
* See Annex 1 for highlights of past reporting seasons
Background
The Code of Practice for the Environmental Management of Road Salts (the Code) was developed in 2004 to assist municipal and provincial road organizations to better manage their use of road salts in a way that reduces the harm to the environment while maintaining roadway safety. The Code recommends that road organizations that use over 500 t/year of salt or who have salt vulnerable areas in their territory review their existing winter maintenance operations to improve practices and reduce adverse impacts of salt releases in the environment. This includes the development and implementation of salt management plans identifying actions they will take to improve practices in salt storage, use of salts on roads, snow disposal, and protection of salt vulnerable areas. In addition, the Code recommends that road organizations provide an annual reportFootnote 1 on the progress achieved.
Of note, Quebec launched the Strategy for the Environmental Management of Road Salts in 2010. Administrations that manage and maintain roads in Quebec are invited to participate in the Strategy on a voluntary basis. As a result, the federal Code is not implemented in Quebec. However, the general objectives of the Code and of the Strategy are similar. In 2019, the province conducted a five-year studyFootnote 2 during which an online questionnaire was made available to municipalities to learn about best management practices in place. Sixty-four municipalities responded to the questionnaire. The survey results are published on the Quebec Strategy website (French only).
Results
ECCC published the Five-year Review of ProgressFootnote 3 (2005–2009), available online, to measure the effectiveness of the Code in April 2012. Based on the review, ECCC recommended maintaining the Code and encouraged road organizations to continue improving their salt management. However, at the time of the first review, the lack of targets created challenges in determining whether the objective of the Code had been achieved. It was recommended that the list of performance indicators for future evaluations be examined to ensure that they reflect key components of the Code and current techniques in winter maintenance.
In 2014, ECCC published Performance Indicators and National Targets for the Code of Practice for the Environmental Management of Road Salts for the implementation of best practices so that progress can be tracked and the success of the Code can be evaluated. The main objective for setting national targets was to increase environmental protection. All road organizations are expected to reach a minimum level of progress in the implementation of best practices to prevent and reduce negative impacts from road salts. National targets help to monitor progress in specific areas of the Code and form the basis for the second Review of Progress (2014 to 2019) Review of Progress: Code of Practice for the Environmental Management of Road Salts 2014 to 2019 evaluating the effectiveness of the CodeFootnote 4 .
There are 7 performance indicators (with 6 targets set for 2019 and 1 for 2024) that fall under 4 main activities of the Code (adoption of the Code, salt storage, salt application and salt-vulnerable areas) as summarized and illustrated above (Figure 1). The following results are based on the analysis of data reported annually by road organizations under the Code for 2019 to 2022. Throughout this report, 2014 data represent the baseline when analysis was initiated against the targets. Data prior to 2019 can be found in the Review of Progress reports mentioned above. Annex 3 presents additional information on reported use of de-icers (salt, liquids and abrasives) and salted road length data.
Performance indicator 1: “Submission of annual reports” represents the number of road organizations reporting regularly (Figure 2). The purpose of this indicator is to increase the level of implementation of the Code and best practices in road salt management. Overall, the number of submissions has increased since 2014 and exceeded the target in 2022 with 226 organizations reporting. Table 1 also presents the breakdown of organizations by type that have reported for 2019 to 2022. Annex 2 presents the list of road organizations that reported in 2022.
Figure 2: Number of reports submitted by road organizations to Environment and Climate Change Canada
![See long description below](/content/canadasite/en/environment-climate-change/services/pollutants/road-salts/code-practice-environmental-management-overview-data/_jcr_content/par/mwsadaptiveimage_407565093/image.img.png/1705336983107.png)
Long description
This vertical bar graph presents the number of reports submitted by road organizations in:
- 2014
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
A horizontal red line through the graph identifies the target of 220 reports submitted annually by the target year of 2019. The data is:
Year | Total |
---|---|
2014 | 202 |
2019 | 216 |
2020 | 218 |
2021 | 219 |
2022 | 226 |
Table 1: Breakdown of the type of road organizations that have reported under the Code for winter seasons 2019 through 2022
Type of road organization | 2014 baseline | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Provinces and territories | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 |
Municipalities | 180 | 189 | 194 | 195 | 203 |
National parks and other federal organizations | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 |
Private organizations | 4 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
Total number of reporting organizations | 202 | 216 | 218 | 219 | 226 |
Performance indicator 2: “Annual review of salt management plan” represents the percentage of road organizations that annually review their salt management plan (SMP) when compared to all organizations that report under the Code. (Figure 3). The objective of this indicator is to ensure that planning is current and allows for continuous improvement. Road organizations should revisit their SMP at the end of each winter in order to identify shortcomings, issues, and areas where improvements are needed prior to the start of the next winter season. In 2022, the target of 100% was not met since only 57% of organizations reported conducting an annual review of their SMP.
It is also important to note that 23% of reporting organizations either do not have a complete SMP or are unsure whether their SMP covers all elements as described in the Code.
Figure 3: Percentage of road organizations that review their SMP and the percentage of organizations that report having an SMP
![See long description below](/content/canadasite/en/environment-climate-change/services/pollutants/road-salts/code-practice-environmental-management-overview-data/_jcr_content/par/mwsadaptiveimage_1623714420/image.img.png/1705340402059.png)
Long description
This vertical bar graph presents 2 bars, 1 normal and 1 stacked, per year for:
- 2014
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
The first, normal bars, represent the percentage of organizations that reported conducting an annual review of their salt management plan (SMP) against Target 2. Target 2 is 100% of all organizations reviewing their plans by 2019 and is represented by a horizontal red line through the graph. The second, stacked bars, demonstrate:
- the percentage of organizations that reported having an SMP
- the percentage of organizations that do not have an SMP
- the percentage of organizations that are not sure about having an SMP.
The data is:
Year | Target #2: % of organizations that performed an annual review of their SMP | % of organizations that are not sure about having a complete SMP | % of organizations that don’t have a complete SMP | % of organizations that reported having a complete SMP |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 60% | 2% | 8% | 90% |
2019 | 62% | 5% | 15% | 80% |
2020 | 56% | 5% | 13% | 83% |
2021 | 57% | 4% | 14% | 82% |
2022 | 57% | 6% | 17% | 77% |
Performance indicator 3: “Storage of road salts” represents the percentage in tonnes of road salts stored under a permanent roof and on impermeable pads (Figure 4). The objective of this indicator is to ensure that road organizations have committed to managing their material storage facilities and that best practices are applied at point sources to prevent the release of salt to the environment. In 2022, the target percentage of 100% was almost met since 99% of reported road salts were stored under a permanent roof and on impermeable pads.
Figure 4: Percentage of road salts stored under a permanent roof and on impermeable pads
![See long description below](/content/canadasite/en/environment-climate-change/services/pollutants/road-salts/code-practice-environmental-management-overview-data/_jcr_content/par/mwsadaptiveimage_1243737711/image.img.png/1705340616223.png)
Long description
This vertical bar graph presents the percentage of salts adequately stored under a roof and on an impermeable surface against Target 3 in:
- 2014
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
Target 3 is 100% of salts adequately stored by 2019 and is represented by a horizontal red line through the graph. The percentages of salt adequately stored under a roof and on an impermeable surface are:
- 100% for 2014
- 97% for 2019
- 100% for 2020 and 2021
- 99% for 2022
Performance indicator 4: “Storage of treated abrasives” represents the percentage in tonnes of treated abrasives (blended sand and salt) that are stored under cover, either under a tarp or under a permanent roof (Figure 5). The objective of this indicator is to ensure that road organizations cover their treated abrasives in storage facilities and that best practices are applied at point sources to prevent the release of salt to the environment. In 2022, the target of 75% was close to being met as 69% of reported treated abrasives were covered by tarp or permanent roof.
Figure 5: Percentage of treated abrasives covered by tarp or covered by permanent roof
![See long description below](/content/canadasite/en/environment-climate-change/services/pollutants/road-salts/code-practice-environmental-management-overview-data/_jcr_content/par/mwsadaptiveimage_1338993163/image.img.png/1705340899258.png)
Long description
This stacked histogram presents the percentage of treated abrasives covered by a tarp or by a permanent roof against Target 4 in:
- 2014
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022,
Target 4 is 75% of treated abrasives covered by 2019 and is represented by a horizontal red line through the graph. These results include the percentage of treated abrasives covered by a tarp and the percentage covered under a permanent roof. Percentages for these years are:
- 66% covered by permanent roof and 1% covered by a tarp for a total of 67% for 2014
- 72% covered by permanent roof and less than 1% covered by a tarp for a total of 72% for 2019
- 67% covered by permanent roof and 2% covered by a tarp for a total of 69% for 2020
- 70% covered by permanent roof and 2% covered by a tarp for a total of 72% for 2021
- 67% covered by permanent roof and 2% covered by a tarp for a total of 69% for 2022
Performance indicator 5: “Groundspeed electronic controllers” represents the percentage of total vehicles equipped with groundspeed electronic controllers when compared to the total number of vehicles assigned to solid salt application (Figure 6). The objective of this indicator is to ensure that salt is applied at a proper rate regardless of the speed of the truck being used to spread the salt. Also, to ensure that salt stops discharging when the truck stops. Over time, use of this technology is expected to become a core practice for all organizations to optimize the use of salt. In 2022, the target was met since 99% of reported solid salt application vehicles were equipped with electronic controllers.
Figure 6: Percentage of vehicles equipped with groundspeed electronic controllers
![See long description below](/content/canadasite/en/environment-climate-change/services/pollutants/road-salts/code-practice-environmental-management-overview-data/_jcr_content/par/mwsadaptiveimage_1618765606/image.img.png/1705341091777.png)
Long description
This vertical bar graph presents the percentage of vehicles equipped with groundspeed electronic controllers against Target 5 in:
- 2014
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
Target 5 is 95% of vehicles equipped by 2019 and is represented by a horizontal red line through the graph. The percentages of vehicles equipped with groundspeed electronic controllers are:
- 93% for 2014
- 93% for 2019
- 95% for 2020
- 94% for 2021
- 99% for 2022
Performance indicator 6: “Optimization of salt application” indicates if organizations are adopting practices that enhance their salt application techniques to optimize their use of salt. This can be accomplished either by using pre-wetting and/or pre-treated salts (Figure 7) or by increasing their pre-wetting capacity (Figure 8). The objective of this indicator is to ensure that organizations are using advanced technologies such as pre-wetting to reduce the use of salts and pre-treated materials. These technologies are proven to be a cost-effective alternative to road salts with similar results. Target #6a is calculated by comparing the number of organizations that reported using pre-wetting or pretreated salts to the total amount of organizations that reported. Target #6b is calculated by comparing the reported number of vehicles with pre-wetting technologies to the reported total number of vehicles assigned to solid salt application from organizations that reported equipping at least one vehicle for prewetting. In 2022, the 6a target of 95% was not met since only 66% of organizations reported adopting pre-wetting and pre-treating methods for salt application optimization. In addition, the 6b target of 75% was not met since only 69% of reported vehicles were equipped for pre-wetting.
Figure 7: Percentage of road organizations using pre-wetting or pre-treated salts
![See long description below](/content/canadasite/en/environment-climate-change/services/pollutants/road-salts/code-practice-environmental-management-overview-data/_jcr_content/par/mwsadaptiveimage_569105937/image.img.png/1705341307078.png)
Long description
This vertical bar graph presents the percentage of organizations using pre-wetting or pre-treated salt against Target 6a in:
- 2014
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
Target 6a is 95% of organizations use pre-wetted and pre-treated salts by 2019 and is represented by a horizontal red line through the graph. The percentages of organizations using pre-wetting or pre-treated salt are:
- 65% for 2014
- 65% for 2019
- 69% for 2020
- 66% for 2021
- 66% for 2022
Figure 8: Percentage of vehicles equipped for pre-wetting
![See long description below](/content/canadasite/en/environment-climate-change/services/pollutants/road-salts/code-practice-environmental-management-overview-data/_jcr_content/par/mwsadaptiveimage_2130381463/image.img.png/1705341420610.png)
Long description
This vertical bar graph presents the percentage of vehicles equipped for pre-wetting against Target 6b in
- 2014
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
Target 6b is 75% of vehicles equipped for pre-wetting by 2019 and is represented by a horizontal red line through the graph. The percentages of vehicles equipped for pre-wetting are:
- 67% for 2014
- 65% for 2019
- 66% for 2020
- 68% for 2021
- 69% for 2022
Performance indicator 7: “Salt-vulnerable areas” indicates if organizations have identified salt vulnerable areas (SVAs) and if an action plan has been prepared with the purpose of protecting those areas that are sensitive to road salts. Figure 9 presents the percentage of reporting road organizations that have identified SVAs. Figure 9 also presents the percentage of road organizations that have met the performance indicator (both identifying vulnerable areas and preparing action plans). In 2022, the target percentage of 95% was not met since only 54% of organizations reported having an inventory of SVAs and only 36% reported having both an inventory and an action plan to address the SVAs.
Figure 9: Percentage of road organizations that have identified salt vulnerable areas and prepared an action plan
![See long description below](/content/canadasite/en/environment-climate-change/services/pollutants/road-salts/code-practice-environmental-management-overview-data/_jcr_content/par/mwsadaptiveimage_889279766/image.img.png/1705341582207.png)
Long description
This vertical bar graph presents the percentage of organizations that have identified salt vulnerable areas (SVAs) and prepared an action plan against Target 7in:
- 2014
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
Target 7 is 95% of organizations have identified salt vulnerable areas (SVAs) and prepared an action plan by 2024 and is represented by a horizontal red line through the graph. The percentages of organizations that did an inventory of SVAs are:
- 43% for 2014
- 49% for 2019
- 51% for 2020
- 50% for 2021
- 54% for 2022
The percentages of organizations that did an inventory of SVAs and prepared an action plan are:
- 22% for 2014
- 35% for 2019
- 32% for 2020
- 32% for 2021
- 36% for 2022
Progress towards the National Targets
Setting national targets offers transparency in the expected performance level from road organizations and provides a basis for conducting the future reviews of the effectiveness of the Code. National targets assist road organizations in prioritizing their ongoing efforts in the management of road salts.
The summary of the results of the Code since 2019, Figure 1, shows the progression in achieving national targets over time. Detailed review reports found here present historical data prior to 2019. While some targets were achieved or close to being achieved (Targets #1, #3, #4 and #5), others were not (Targets #2, #6a and #6b). The second review of the Code concluded that the Code is still an effective risk management instrument. It recommended continued evaluation against the targets and identified several actions for consideration to improve Code implementation and the environmental management of road salt.
ECCC will continue to promote the implementation of the Code with stakeholders, consisting of provincial and municipal road authorities, federal and provincial governments, related associations, industry, environmental non-governmental organizations, and academics, in order to encourage the implementation of best practices in road salt management and prevent or reduce negative impacts of road salts on the environment.
Contact us
For questions about the Code or for more information about salt management, please contact:
Chemical Production and Products Division
Environment Canada Climate Change Canada
Place Vincent Massey
351 St. Joseph Blvd., 9th Floor
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3
Tel: 1-888-391-3426
Email: Produits-Products@ec.gc.ca
Annex 1: Highlights of reported data for 2014 to 2021 reporting seasons
Highlights: 2021 Reported Data in the Context of National Targets
Results reported for winter 2020 to 2021:
- 219 road organizations, including 7 provinces, 1 territory, 195 municipalities, 5 private road organizations, 11 national parks and other federal organizations, reported under the Code (target is 220).
- 57% annually reviewed their road salt management plan (target is 100%).
- 100% of their road salts are under a permanent roof and on impermeable pads (target is 100%).
- 72% of their treated abrasives are covered (target is 75%).
- 94% of their vehicles are equipped with groundspeed electronic controllers (target is 95%).
- 66% are using pre-wetting or pre-treated salts (target is 95%).
- 68% of their vehicles are equipped for pre-wetting (target is 75%).
- 32% of road organizations have identified their salt vulnerable areas and have prepared an action plan (target is 95%, set for 2024).
Highlights: 2020 Reported Data in the Context of National Targets
Results reported for winter 2019 to 2020:
- 218 road organizations, including 8 provinces, 1 territory, 194 municipalities, 5 private road organizations, 10 national parks and other federal organizations, reported under the Code (target is 220).
- 56% annually reviewed their road salt management plan (target is 100%).
- 100% of their road salts are under a permanent roof and on impermeable pads (target is 100%).
- 69% of their treated abrasives are covered (target is 75%).
- 95% of their vehicles are equipped with groundspeed electronic controllers (target is 95%).
- 69% are using pre-wetting or pre-treated salts (target is 95%).
- 66% of their vehicles are equipped for pre-wetting (target is 75%).
- 32% of road organizations have identified their salt vulnerable areas and have prepared an action plan (target is 95%, set for 2024).
Highlights: 2019 Reported Data in the Context of National Targets
Results reported for winter 2018 to 2019:
- 216 road organizations, including 8 provinces, 1 territory, 189 municipalities, 7 private road organizations, 8 national parks and 3 other federal organizations, reported under the Code (target is 220).
- 62% annually reviewed their road salt management plan (target is 100%).
- 97% of their road salts are under a permanent roof and on impermeable pads (target is 100%).
- 72% of their treated abrasives are covered (target is 75%).
- 93% of their vehicles are equipped with groundspeed electronic controllers (target is 95%).
- 65% are using pre-wetting or pre-treated salts (target is 95%).
- 65% of their vehicles are equipped for pre-wetting (target is 75%).
- 35% of road organizations have identified their salt vulnerable areas and have prepared an action plan (target is 95%, set for 2024).
Highlights: 2018 Reported Data in the Context of National Targets
Results reported for winter 2017 to 2018:
- 212 road organizations, including 8 provinces, 1 territory, 187 municipalities, 5 private road organizations, 8 national parks and 3 other federal organizations, reported under the Code (target is 220).
- 58% annually reviewed their road salt management plan (target is 100%).
- 99% of their road salts are under a permanent roof and on impermeable pads (target is 100%).
- 72% of their treated abrasives are covered (target is 75%).
- 94% of their vehicles are equipped with groundspeed electronic controllers (target is 95%).
- 67% are using pre-wetting or pre-treated salts (target is 95%).
- 64% of their vehicles are equipped for pre-wetting (target is 75%).
- 31% of road organizations have identified their salt vulnerable areas and have prepared an action plan (target is 95%, set for 2024).
Highlights: 2017 Reported Data in the Context of National Targets
Results reported for winter 2016 to 2017:
- 225 road organizations, including 8 provinces, 1 territory, 200 municipalities, 6 private road organizations, 7 national parks and 3 other federal organizations, reported under the Code (target is 220).
- 57% annually reviewed their road salt management plan (target is 100%).
- 99% of their road salts are under a permanent roof and on impermeable pads (target is 100%).
- 61% of their treated abrasives are covered (target is 75%).
- 94% of their vehicles are equipped with groundspeed electronic controllers (target is 95%).
- 61% are using pre-wetting or pre-treated salts (target is 95%).
- 62% of their vehicles are equipped for pre-wetting (target is 75%).
- 24% of road organizations have identified their salt vulnerable areas and have prepared an action plan (target is 95%, set for 2024).
Highlights: 2016 Reported Data in the Context of National Targets
Results reported for winter 2015 to 2016:
- 199 road organizations, including 8 provinces, 1 territory, 175 municipalities, 5 private road organizations, 6 national parks and 4 other federal organizations, reported under the Code (target is 220).
- 63% annually reviewed their road salt management plan (target is 100%).
- 99% of their road salts are under a permanent roof and on impermeable pads (target is 100%).
- 64% of their treated abrasives are covered (target is 75%).
- 96% of their vehicles are equipped with groundspeed electronic controllers (target is 95%).
- 65% are using pre-wetting or pre-treated salts (target is 95%).
- 60% of their vehicles are equipped for pre-wetting (target is 75%).
- 24% of road organizations have identified their salt vulnerable areas and have prepared an action plan (target is 95%, set for 2024).
Highlights: 2015 Reported Data in the Context of National Targets
Results reported for winter 2014 to 2015:
- 208 road organizations, including 8 provinces, 184 municipalities, 5 private road organizations, 7 national parks and 4 other federal organizations, reported under the Code (target is 220).
- 60% annually reviewed their road salt management plan (target is 100%).
- 99% of their road salts are under a permanent roof and on impermeable pads (target is 100%).
- 68% of their treated abrasives are covered (target is 75%).
- 94% of their vehicles are equipped with groundspeed electronic controllers (target is 95%).
- 68% are using pre-wetting or pre-treated salts (target is 95%).
- 64% of their vehicles are equipped for pre-wetting (target is 75%).
- 22% of road organizations have identified their salt vulnerable areas and have prepared an action plan (target is 95%, set for 2024).
Highlights: 2014 Reported Data in the Context of National Targets
Results reported for winter 2013 to 2014:
- 202 road organizations, including 8 provinces, 180 municipalities, 4 private road organizations, 7 national parks and 3 other federal organizations, reported under the Code (target is 220).
- 60% annually reviewed their road salt management plan (target is 100%).
- 100% of their road salts are under a permanent roof and on impermeable pads (target is 100%).
- 67% of their treated abrasives are covered (target is 75%).
- 93% of their vehicles are equipped with groundspeed electronic controllers (target is 95%).
- 65% are using pre-wetting or pre-treated salts (target is 95%).
- 67% of their vehicles are equipped for pre-wetting (target is 75%).
- 22% of road organizations have identified their salt vulnerable areas and have prepared an action plan (target is 95%, set for 2024).
Annex 2: Road organizations that have reported under the Code of Practice for 2021 to 2022
Federal organizations:
Cape Breton Road Salts
Fundy Road Salts
Gros Morne National Park
Kouchibouguac Road Salts (Parks Canada)
Parks Canada Agency
Prince Albert Road Salts
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Riding Mountain National Park
Terra Nova Road Salts
The Seaway International Bridge Corporation Ltd.
Waterton Lakes Road Salts
Provincial and Territorial Organizations:
Alberta Transportation
BC Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure
New Brunswick Department of Transportation and Infrastructure
Province of Nova Scotia
Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure
Yukon Territorial Government
Municipal Organizations:
- Alberta
City of Airdrie
City of Calgary
City of Edmonton - Roadway Maintenance
City of Leduc
City of Lethbridge
City of Medicine Hat
City of Red Deer
City of St. Albert
Clearwater County
Cypress County
LAC LA BICHE COUNTY
Lacombe County
Leduc County
Mackenzie County
Mountain View County
Municipal District of Pincher Creek No. 9
Municipal District of Wainwright
Northern Sunrise County
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
Strathcona County
Town of Okotoks
- British Columbia
City of Chilliwack
City of Coquitlam
City of Kamloops
City of Maple Ridge
City of Nanaimo
City of New Westminster
City of Penticton
City of Port Alberni
City of Port Coquitlam
City of Port Moody
City of Prince George
City of Surrey
City of Vancouver
City of West Kelowna
City of Williams Lake
Corporation of the City of Cranbrook
Corporation of the District of North Cowichan
District of North Vancouver
District of Saanich
Resort Municipality of Whistler.
The Corporation Of The Village Of Burns Lake
Town of Gibsons
Village of Lumby
- Manitoba
City of Winnipeg, Water & Waste Department
- New Brunswick
Caraquet
City of Fredericton
Municipalité Régionale de Tracadie
Town of Grand Bay-Westfield
Town Of Hampton
Town of Oromocto
Town of Quispsmsis
Town of Riverview
Town Of Shediac
Town of Sussex
Ville de Dieppe
- Newfoundland and Labrador
City Of Mount Pearl
City of St. John's
Town of Grand Falls-Windsor
Town of Paradise
- Nova Scotia
Cape Breton Regional
Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM)
Municipality of the County of Colchester
Region of Queens Municipality
Town of Amherst
Town of Bridgewater
Town of Digby
Town of Yarmouth
West Hants Regional Municipality
- Ontario
City of Brockville (Corporation of the)
City of Greater Sudbury
City of Hamilton
City of Kawartha Lakes
City of Markham
City of Mississauga
City of Ottawa
City of Owen Sound
City of Peterborough
City of Pickering
City of Sarnia
City of Sault Ste. Marie
City of Temiskaming Shores
City of Toronto
City of Vaughan
City of Windsor
City of Woodstock
Clarington
Corp. of the City of Timmins
Corporation of the County of Dufferin
Corporation of Loyalist Township
Corporation of the City of Cornwall
Corporation of the City of Guelph
Corporation of the City of London
Corporation of the County of Bruce
Corporation of the County of Essex
Corporation of the County of Lambton
Corporation of the County of Wellington
Corporation of the Municipality of Halton Hills
Corporation of the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury
Corporation of the Town of Espanola
Corporation of the Town of Gravenhurst
Corporation of the Town of Hawkesbury
Corporation of the Town of Newmarket
Corporation of the Town of Petawawa
Corporation of the Town of Plympton-Wyoming
Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh
Corporation of The Town of The Blue Mountains
Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg
Corporation of the Township of Russell
Corporation of the Township of South Stormont
Corporation of the Township of St Clair
Corporation of the Township of Whitewater Region
Corporation of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell
Corporation of the United Counties of SDG
Corporation of Township of Norwich
Corporation of the City of Cambridge
County of Brant
County of Elgin
County of Haliburton
County of Simcoe
Grey County Transportation Services Department
Haldimand County
Municipality of Chatham-Kent
Municipality of Middlesex Centre
Municipality of Mississippi Mills
Municipality of North Perth
Municipality Of South Dundas
Municipality of Thames Centre
Municipality of the Town of Perth
Municipality of Whitchurch-Stouffville
Oxford County
Region of Peel
Region of Waterloo, Waste Management Division
Regional Municipality of Durham
Regional Municipality of Niagara
South Frontenac Township
The Corporation of the City of Barrie
The Corporation of the City of Belleville
The Corporation of the City of Brantford
The Corporation of the City of Kitchener
The Corporation of the City of North Bay
The Corporation of the City of Oshawa
The Corporation of the City of Port Colborne
The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines
The Corporation of the City of St. Thomas
The Corporation of the County of Lanark
The Corporation of the County of Northumberland
The Corporation of the Municipality of Central Elgin
The Corporation of the Municipality of Kincardine
The Corporation of the Municipality of Trent Hills
The Corporation of the Municipality of West Grey
The Corporation of the Municipality of West Perth
The Corporation of The Town of Caledon
The Corporation of the Town of Essex
The Corporation of the Town of Fort Erie
The Corporation of the Town of Goderich
The Corporation of the Town of LaSalle
The Corporation of the Town of Minto
The Corporation of the Town of Pelham
The Corporation of the Town of Penetanguishene
The Corporation of the Township of Addington Highlands
The Corporation of the Township of Adjala-Tosorontio
The Corporation of the Township of Central Frontenac
The Corporation of the Township of Centre Wellington
The Corporation of the Township of East Hawkesbury
The Corporation of the Township of Perth South
The Corporation of The Township of Stone Mills
The Corporation of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville
The Regional Municipality of York
The Town of Aurora
Town of Ajax
Town of Arnprior
Town of Carleton Place
Town of East Gwillimbury
Town of Greater Napanee
Town of Grimsby
Town of Ingersoll
Town of Innisfil
Town of Kingsville
Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake
Town of Oakville
Town of Orangeville
Town of Renfrew
Town of Richmond Hill
Town of Whitby
Township of Bonnechere Valley
Township of Essa
Township of King
Township of North Dumfries
Township of Oro-Medonte
Township of Puslinch
Township of Selwyn
Township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls
Township of Springwater
Township of Stirling-Rawdon
Township of Tiny
Township of Wellington North
Township of West Lincoln
Tyendinaga Township
- Prince Edward Island
City of Summerside
- Saskatchewan
City of Regina
City of Saskatoon
- Yukon
City of Whitehorse
Private Organizations:
407 ETR Concession Company Ltd.
Brun-Way Highways Operations Inc.
Chinook Highway Operations Inc.
Emcon Services Inc.
Gateway Operations
MRDC Operations Corporation
Annex 3: Reported road salt usage data
Public road organizations participating in the Code also report to ECCC on the total quantity of road salts, abrasives, and liquids used by the organization in the winter maintenance season. In addition, road organizations report to ECCC the length of roads salted by their organization. The total quantity by province of each material used and the total road length salted reported for all road organizations that reported for this winter maintenance season is summarized in Table 3. This represents the total material used and salted road length for road organizations reporting to ECCC. It does not represent the total quantity of deicing materials used or the total length of salted roads in Canada because the Code:
- is voluntary;
- does not apply to road salts used for domestic purposes, or for private or institutional uses;
- targets organizations that use more than 500 tonnes of road salts per year (although some organizations using less than 500 tonnes also report); and
- is not implemented in Quebec since it has its own Strategy for the Environmental Management of Road Salts.
Table 3: Number of organizations that reported total salt, liquids, and abrasives quantities as well as total salted road length under the Code for winter 2021 to 2022
Reported Data for the 2021 to 2022 Winter Season | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Province | Number of organizations that reported | Total salt use (tonnes) | Total liquids use (litres) | Total abrasives use (tonnes) | Total road length salted (km) |
Alberta | 24 | 417,394 | 13,089,162 | 823,810 | 61,576 |
British Columbia | 26 | 889,055 | 58,302,838 | 781,204 | 50,559 |
Manitoba | 2 | 148,421 | 379,000 | 113,536 | 1,916 |
New Brunswick | 17 | 219,783 | 3,065,613 | 369,331 | 21,297 |
Newfoundland & Labrador | 6 | 60,247 | 1,233,991 | 10,375 | 2,422 |
Nova Scotia | 11 | 294,690 | 24,740,324 | 42,022 | 19,628 |
Ontario | 133 | 1,705,541 | 24,951,245 | 697,047 | 104,975 |
Prince Edward Island | 1 | 2,750 | - | - | 118 |
Saskatchewan | 4 | 137,402 | 1,084,608 | 85,555 | 22,799 |
Yukon | 2 | 3,491 | - | 69,300 | 2,900 |
Other federal organizations | - | - | - | - | - |
Total | 226 | 3,878,774 | 126,846,781 | 2,992,180 | 288,190 |
Table 4: Number of organizations that reported total salt, liquids, and abrasives quantities as well as total salted road length under the Code for winter 2020 to 2021
Reported Data for the 2020 to 2021 Winter Season | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Province | Number of organizations that reported | Total salt use (tonnes) | Total liquids use (litres) | Total abrasives use (tonnes) | Total road length salted (km) |
Alberta | 26 | 1,116,360 | 11,395,525 | 713,916 | 61,955 |
British Columbia | 25 | 831,242 | 57,353,512 | 785,918 | 53,482 |
Manitoba | 3 | 113,273 | 1,217,533 | 88,489 | 17,297 |
New Brunswick | 15 | 190,196 | 3,783,672 | 231,949 | 21,471 |
Newfoundland & Labrador | 8 | 63,262 | 1,496,378 | 9,376 | 2,892 |
Nova Scotia | 9 | 177,435 | 22,058,402 | 32,329 | 17,197 |
Ontario | 128 | 2,088,323 | 39,784,058 | 788,150 | 103,784 |
Prince Edward Island | - | - | - | - | - |
Saskatchewan | 3 | 113,654 | 413,857 | 52,453 | 20,481 |
Yukon | 2 | 6,099 | - | 66,100 | 3,000 |
Other federal organizations | - | - | - | - | - |
Total | 219 | 4,699,843 | 137,502,937 | 2,768,680 | 301,559 |
Table 5: Number of organizations that reported total salt, liquids, and abrasives quantities as well as total salted road length under the Code for winter 2019-2020
Reported Data for the 2019 to 2020 Winter Season | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Province | Number of organizations that reported | Total salt use (tonnes) | Total liquids use (litres) | Total abrasives use (tonnes) | Total road length salted (km) |
Alberta | 26 | 1,170,953 | 9,942,475 | 743,339 | 62,201 |
British Columbia | 26 | 1,021,173 | 55,816,117 | 929,456 | 55,991 |
Manitoba | 3 | 93,834 | 1,777,676 | 139,878 | 14,531 |
New Brunswick | 17 | 279,878 | 4,112,349 | 334,335 | 21,678 |
Newfoundland & Labrador | 8 | 63,428 | 1,597,655 | 8,496 | 2,290 |
Nova Scotia | 10 | 295,277 | 24,329,908 | 57,541 | 17,125 |
Ontario | 121 | 2,781,677 | 44,790,766 | 1,024,543 | 105,392 |
Prince Edward Island | 1 | 35,469 | 1,400,000 | 96,960 | 4,444 |
Saskatchewan | 4 | 123,685 | 504,642 | 51,525 | 21,206 |
Yukon | 2 | 10,793 | - | 94,110 | 2,540 |
Other federal organizations | - | - | - | - | - |
Total | 218 | 5,876,167 | 144,271,588 | 3,480,183 | 245,196 |
Additional information can be obtained at:
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Public Information Centre
Place Vincent Massey Building
351 St-Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3
Toll-free: 1-800-668-6767
Email: enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca
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