Toronto is dealing with the aftermath of a historic snowstorm, prompting concerns about the effectiveness of snow removal efforts following last year’s failures. Mayor Olivia Chow assured the public that snow-clearing operations are performing better than in the past. Crews are now focusing on high-priority areas such as hospitals and transit stops after plowing through Tuesday to address snow pushed back onto roads by winds.
City Manager Paul Johnson confirmed that expressways and arterial roads were in good condition on Tuesday morning due to overnight plowing. Snow removal operations will prioritize major roads before moving to residential streets in the upcoming days. The recent storm brought up to 60 centimeters of snow across the Greater Toronto Area, causing flight cancellations, school closures, and disruptions to TTC services.
Issues with snow removal stem from existing contracts signed in 2021 under former Mayor John Tory, which do not include provisions for snow removal. Chow promised faster snow removal this time, acknowledging past challenges with snow accumulation and service blackout during winter storms. Efforts have been made to enhance coordination among Toronto’s agencies and improve overall efficiency in snow removal operations.
The city is enhancing its snow removal capacity by utilizing existing resources more effectively and deploying crews proactively. Additional snow storage facilities and equipment such as snow melters, blowers, loaders, and dump trucks are being utilized. Crews are working on clearing snow from transit stops and hospitals, with broader removal operations set to commence soon.
Despite progress, officials anticipate that snow removal will take several days to complete. Residents are urged to be patient as crews work to clear sidewalks and streets thoroughly. Furthermore, Environment Canada forecasts more snowfall for the city, with a 40% chance of flurries until Friday. Chow encourages individuals facing accessibility challenges due to snow accumulation to contact 311 for assistance.
