Toronto’s mayor is not impressed with the city’s snow removal process, while city staff are warning about flooding risks amid warmer temperatures this week.
On Tuesday, city staff discussed the inevitable flooding that the city is set to see with piles of snow melting due to higher temperatures.
After a frigid week, Toronto has been graced with some warm weather so far this week. And it’s continuing today, with a daytime high of 6 C. However, it will get colder from Wednesday through Friday, with a high of three tomorrow, a high of 4 C on Thursday and dropping to a high of -1 C on Friday.
The city is still digging its way through almost 50 cm of snow that dropped after two snow storms about two weeks ago, and with colder temperatures coming later this week, Chow says she’s worried about the leftover snow causing unsafe conditions for pedestrians.
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“We need to act quickly. Toronto needs to be safe for everyone in a few days. Now, the temperature is rising. Things are melting, but on Thursday, Friday, the temperature is going to drop. And what I’m concerned about is icy sidewalks that are dangerous for people. People will get very hurt, and we’ve seen that happen before,” Chow said.
City officials say they have a plan. This afternoon city staff announced they’re ready to deploy crews to inspect and clear catch basins in flood-prone areas.
“The City’s snow removal operations, which are taking place across the city, will also help reduce the volume of snow that could melt and contribute to flooding. Salt residue remains on roads and sidewalks since the last time they were salted and areas are resalted following snow removal,” a city spokesperson said in a statement to Now Toronto.
The city also wants property owners to watch out for the melting snow, as it might seep into their homes through windows and cracks in the foundation.
CHOW WANTS TO REVIEW SNOW PLOWING CONTRACTS
In addition to flooding risks, the city is still working to clear roads and sidewalks after the snow dump.
The city previously said it would take up to three weeks to clear the snow, and has received criticism for the timeline, with many residents frustrated about the blocked sidewalks.
Online, people have been sharing their frustrations.
“I genuinely do not know how people with mobility issues are getting around. I think the compounding transit issues and lack of useable sidewalk is so awful!! My commute is taking me nearly twice as long,” one user on Reddit commented.
“In my area none of the schools have been done yet. Kids are climbing snowbanks taller than they are just to get in the doors. Nevermind anyone with disabilities, strollers, etc., I’m a reasonably fit person in my 20s and I’m struggling,” another user said.
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Today, Chow acknowledged the concerns and said she was told by staff that 100 per cent of the sidewalks have been plowed.
“Claiming 100 per cent plowed is blatantly untrue,” she stated.
“This is just unacceptable. We need to do more. We need to do better. Seniors, people pushing strollers, getting groceries, or just normally walking on the sidewalks… all Torontonians deserve to move around the city safely,” Mayor Olivia Chow said in a press conference Tuesday morning.
In response, Chow says she wants the city to review its contracts that were previously signed with private contractors that are responsible for snow plowing and removal services.
Chow wrote a letter to the city manager and auditor general to improve city snow removal policies and practices, specifically asking them to review options to deploy other city staff from different departments to support snow clearing and removal. This letter will be discussed and debated at the executive committee meeting.
The current state of snow removal is unacceptable.
— Mayor Olivia Chow 🇨🇦 (@MayorOliviaChow) February 25, 2025
While moving mountains of snow takes time, we must do better. This morning, I sent a letter to the City Manager and Auditor General urging improvements to the city's snow plowing and removal policies. pic.twitter.com/vxpNwTRatH
TTC BOARD TO LOOK INTO SNOWSTORM RESPONSE
Meanwhile, public transportation around the city has also caused commuters frustration due to a lack of snow removal on major transit stops, and disruptions to TTC service.
On Monday, Toronto-St.Paul’s Councillor Josh Matlow proposed an emergency motion at a TTC Board meeting advocating for better snow removal on open-air sections of Line 1 and 2, enhanced accessibility standards for surface stops, and stricter penalties for motorists who obstruct TTC vehicles.
TTC Chair Jamaal Myers, seconded the motion, in response to mounting concerns over transit delays and accessibility issues caused by the back-to-back snowstorms.
City staff will report back to the board about the plan next quarter.
