“If I want to buy salt for my yard, I have to show them a cheque with six digits,” said Tester.

While the shortage is likely to be temporary, Tester said he predicts this situation to have a lasting effect on the cost of salt, specifically when it comes to contractors. He likened it to the cost of gas, where despite the cost of oil dipping lower, the cost of gas rarely changes.

“Once you have consumers used paying for something at a certain price, you can continue charging that price,” said Tester.

In Ontario, municipalities have a guaranteed supply of salt, so the local municipalities should be OK. But with the contractors left to buy up whatever is left, it’s creating a difficult situation for many companies, Tester said.

According to Tester, the private sector of Waterloo Region uses about 100,000 tons of salt per year.

Part of the issue behind the salt shortage is a 12-week strike this past summer at Sifto in Goderich, which has put them behind in terms of production. With municipal contracts taking priority, Sifto has stopped selling to contractors and has focused on building up supply. Goderich is home to North American’s largest salt mine.

Even with the shortage, there is little chance of Ontario running dry. According to Rob Tester, president of TNT, imported salt from places like Egypt, Morocco, Venezuela and South Africa is already making its way to Ontario.

“There’s so much salt out there, it’s insane,” he said.

Jim Maloney, owner of Clintar Landscape Management Services, went in with four or five other companies to purchase a large shipment of salt from Egypt — at a 60 per cent premium.

Maloney said with the extra cost, he was open with his clients and explained the situation. Many clients, understanding of the situation, paid extra to offset the added cost.

While there is a country-wide put to back off of the amount of salt used in both private and public spaces, Maloney said contractors take on a lot of liability if properties are kept safe from slipping hazards.

"We're trying to balance that," he said.

TNT currently has bagged salt available for residents, but supplies are limited.

“We’re trying to help out,” said Rob. “I’ve heard horror stories of people going to five, six, seven stores and not being able to find any.”