OGRA Heads Up Alert - A Superior Court decision over Road Salt use sets a dangerous precedent for Ontario municipalities
OAKVILLE, ON, Jan. 21, 2015 /CNW/ - A Lambton County farmer has been awarded more than $100,000 in damages in a potentially precedent-setting lawsuit involving a municipal government's use of road salt. A Brooke-Alvinston Farmer claims they have suffered crop losses leading to the depreciation in value of their 96-acre farm thanks to the County of Lambton's use of road salt.
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled in favour of the Steadmans in Sarnia last Friday, awarding them a total of $107,352 in damages. This includes $56,700 for the depreciation in value of their property and $45,000 for crop losses from 1998 to 2013.
OGRA President, Tom Bateman, County Engineer County of Essex said "municipalities need to apply salt to keep roads safe during inclement winter weather and this ruling sets a dangerous precedent for Ontario municipalities."
The decision was circulated to OGRA late Wednesday. "OGRA is gravely concerned and the Board will be considering a response at our upcoming meeting on January 23rd," said Joe Tiernay, OGRA Executive Director.
The mandate of the Ontario Good Roads Association is to represent the transportation and public works interests of municipalities through advocacy, consultation, training and the delivery of identified services.
SOURCE Ontario Good Roads Association
Colette Caruso, Marketing Communications, OGRA, 905-541-7988
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