Province keeps free winter sand program after public pushback
New Brunswick reverses decision to axe long‑standing practice
After a string of public complaints about the Holt government’s decision to cancel free public access to sand, the province has reversed course.
On Thursday, Oct. 15, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Chuck Chaisson confirmed that residents would still have access to free sand this winter.
“Sand will continue to be available for residential use at DTI depots that have traditionally offered it to their communities,” said Chaisson.
For two weeks, people took to social media to complain about the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure's plan to stop public access to sand.
Opposition MLAs, municipal leaders, and residents criticized the decision, warning it could increase slip‑and‑fall risks for seniors and rural homeowners.
Senior Director and Media Relations, Bruce MacFarlane, said safety remains the department’s top priority.
“Depots that have maintained offering public access to winter sand will continue to do so outside the depot gates for the upcoming winter season and going forward, where it is safe to do so,” said MacFarlane.
MacFarlane stressed that the sand is for residential use only, and contractors and municipalities must obtain material elsewhere. He also said that depots are active worksites with heavy equipment in operation and urged caution when accessing them.
Woodstock‑Hartland MLA Bill Hogan praised residents who pushed back against the proposed cancellation.
“To those of you who contacted the Minister or Premier on cutting the sand program, congratulations. This time they listened,” said Hogan.
With files from James Ness
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Paige Morgan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, River Valley Sun.