Tire retailers report supply shortages and long waits to swap out tires
Motorists got a sample of winter road conditions this week, putting snow tires on the minds of many, but if you're in the market for new tires, you could be in a race against more than Mother Nature's winter wrath.
Tire retailers report issues in the industry right across the country.
"There is a shortage of winter tires again this year, I think it's got to do more with supply issues, and I'm assuming a shortage of staff to do stuff," said Quintin Kean, OK Tire in Barrie.
"There does appear to be a shortage of tires, not just winter tires, but tires in general," said CAA director of communications Kaitlynn Furse. "We do suggest you start looking now if you haven't already."
CAA reminds motorists not to wait until the first big snowfall to switch their tires.
"It's actually more appropriate to think of them for cold. You're looking at the tire gripping the ground more easily in those cold, cold winter months," said Furse.
In addition to the lack of new tires, Kean said there's a significant delay for anyone who wants to book an appointment to swap them.
"Right now, we are booking into December, so it's about a two-week wait," he noted.
Brian Chaulk with Midas in Barrie said it's about a week wait for winter tires, and the cost is up about 20 per cent.
"Even into next year, in the spring, summer, tires are going to be a shortage as well. I have no idea how long we're going to be able to get rubber, but from what I'm hearing, not for long," Chaulk said.
Cory Leblanc said even though he booked early, he just got his tires in Barrie. "I think I placed my order back in September, and yah, I just got them today."
Despite the bumps ahead, CAA mentioned that adding a set of four matching winter tires can help reduce stopping distance by about 25 per cent.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Israel gave U.S. last-minute warning about drone attack on Iran, Italian foreign minister says at G7
The United States told the Group of Seven foreign ministers on Friday that it received 'last minute' information from Israel about a drone action in Iran, but didn't participate in the apparent attack, officials said.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.