Snowstorms are a common experience in Canada. It is a time that binds us to our homes, whether we study or work remotely; the precautions taken to ensure that most of us stay at home are a natural part of a long winter season. In February, Toronto experienced its heaviest snowfall since January 2022. Many classes were cancelled and those with jobs worked remotely or took the day off.
During snow removal, highways of daily commute are usually the first ones to be cleared, followed by major intersections, bus routes, and so on. Toronto’s recent snowstorms have been subject to scrutiny when it came to the city’s snow-clearing efforts during which many sidewalks were left uncleared.
With over 50 centimetres of snowfall, the snow-covered sidewalks provided a challenge for many residents, especially individuals who have physical disabilities. It was estimated that snow removal efforts could take several weeks.
At a press conference on Feb. 25, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow expressed discontent, stating that “all Torontonians deserve to move around the city safely” and dismissed the reports that all the sidewalks have been plowed as something that is “blatantly untrue.”
Chow supported this claim by pointing to a nearby sidewalk snowbank as evidence of incomplete clearing.
She requested that the city staff review snow clearing contracts with private companies, although the contracts were signed before her time and therefore locked in for seven years.
The City of Toronto had declined an interview on this matter and instead provided a media bulletin with an update on cleanup efforts.
The update stated that as of 10 a.m. on March 3, snow-clearing crews had removed over 181,198 tonnes of snow, clearing 645 kilometres of roads and 75 kilometres of bike lanes. In said update, the city advised that residents “may receive a knock on their door from crews to remove their vehicles to enable snow removal operations,” and to those “planning to travel, please consider taking public transit to keep the roads accessible.”
Responses such as these can raise concerns about how the city has been able to handle issues of accessibility during these heavier weather conditions. While it’s understandable that addressing the mass accumulation of snow effectively may take some time, the question remains: how well is the city prepared?
Montreal, which experienced 75 centimetres of snowfall over four days, has shown more responsibility in clearance of the snow. In an interview with the CBC, City of Montreal Spokesperson Philippe Sabourin, reported that only 50 per cent of Montreal’s sidewalks were still covered with snow, with snow being cleared at a rate of 10 per cent per day.
Despite leaving sidewalks uncleared, the city is, however, more prepared for flooding that can occur after a major snowfall. Their flooding prevention plan involves “crews working around the clock to inspect and clear catch basins in low-lying areas” and that “city staff are available 24 hours a day to respond to any reports of blocked catch basins.” The city also recommends that property owners ensure their homes are ready for the melting of the snow by keeping “the melting snow away from their homes so that water does not seep in through any cracks in the foundation or windows.”
While there is an obvious difference between snowstorm and flood prevention, the question we should ask ourselves is how can the City of Toronto make better initiatives in clearing the sidewalk?
Should the city rely more on public contractors instead of private? What would happen if the seven-year contract ends? The City should consider these questions in the coming years, given the potential for increasingly unpredictable winter weather due to climate change.
