Toronto Residents Face Ongoing Challenges After Record Snowfall
Weeks after Toronto experienced its heaviest snowfall on record, some residents are still struggling with snow removal, impacting accessibility and daily routines. The city received over 50 centimetres of snow at the conclude of January, marking the snowiest January since record-keeping began in 1937.
Sidewalk Access Issues in Regal Heights
Megan Rodd, a resident of the Regal Heights neighbourhood, described the dangerous conditions she faced while walking her two young children to daycare. Due to uncleared sidewalks, she was forced to walk on the road, navigating traffic from both directions. “It’s pretty dangerous because there’s traffic coming from both ways,” she said. “I was super frustrated.”
Rodd reported the issue to the city’s 311 service and learned that the area had already been flagged by others. Despite this, the problem persisted, leading her to seek assistance through a local Facebook group. A neighbour volunteered to clear the path, providing much-needed relief.
City’s Snow Removal Efforts
According to a statement from the City of Toronto, snow removal is a “multi-step process” involving numerous crews and heavy machinery. Crews are currently focused on clearing snow from bikeways, narrow residential streets, and sidewalks. However, snow removal efforts may be paused when a new snowfall is forecast, as crews are redeployed to salting and plowing operations.
The city prioritizes snow removal in high-priority areas, including hospitals, bridges, school zones, and streetcar routes, with this phase being 95 per cent complete. However, Rodd noted that the problematic area near her daycare is located behind a high school, describing it as a “no man’s land” with slushy, impassable snow.
Concerns Beyond Parents with Strollers
The difficulties extend beyond parents with strollers. Juan Carlos Balders, also a Regal Heights resident, highlighted the dangers and effort required to walk through the snow without a vehicle, describing the conditions as “very dangerous, slippery.” Amanda Floyd and Ryan Floyd, residents near Dundas Street W. And Dupont Street, observed cars pulling onto sidewalks to allow other vehicles to pass, further obstructing pedestrian access.
Historical Context and Future Considerations
Former city councillor and York University professor Joe Mihevc explained that Toronto’s snow removal strategy focuses on moving snow into piles rather than complete removal, a system that is cost-effective for the city’s typical snowfall levels. “We’re not really a big snow climate,” Mihevc stated. “For 10 inches, 12 inches of snow a year, is it really something that our residents, our taxpayers would want to do?”
While the city has increased its snow removal efforts since the storm, Mihevc suggests that a recalibration of the city’s approach may be necessary if similar levels of snowfall become more frequent. He emphasized the demand for patience as crews work to address the situation, acknowledging that snow is a natural part of the Canadian climate.
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