Toronto may soon enlist its residents in the battle against winter’s fury, offering payment for snow-clearing efforts. The innovative idea, championed by Mayor Olivia Chow, draws inspiration from a successful program already in place in New York City.
New York City’s program, spearheaded by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, pays residents approximately $26 Canadian per hour to shovel snow from vital public spaces – bus stops, crosswalks, and crucially, fire hydrants. Those who dedicate over 40 hours to the task see their hourly rate climb to around $41.
Mayor Chow has formally requested Toronto’s executive committee explore the feasibility of a similar initiative. She believes in the power of shared learning between cities, stating that adopting proven strategies from elsewhere can significantly benefit Toronto.
Previous attempts to implement a paid snow-shovelling program have been stalled by concerns surrounding legal liability. However, Chow is determined to overcome these hurdles and have a plan ready for the coming winter season.
The urgency stems from recent experiences with severe winter weather. A major blizzard in late January left Toronto struggling to keep up with the snowfall, with city crews facing a backlog of thousands of service requests.
City manager Paul Johnson acknowledged the shortcomings in snow removal, particularly on narrow residential streets and sidewalks. The public’s patience wore thin as days passed with streets remaining impassable.
Councillor Brad Bradford views New York’s program as a critical lesson for Toronto, a sign of a city willing to confront the challenges of winter head-on and embrace innovative solutions. He believes honesty about the scale of the problem is the first step towards improvement.
The frustration reached a peak during a paralyzing snowstorm in February of last year. Mayor Chow publicly declared the pace of snow removal “unacceptable,” as streets and sidewalks remained blocked for extended periods.
This isn’t a new concern for Chow. She previously called for a comprehensive overhaul of the city’s snow-clearing program last November, emphasizing the need for a safer and more efficient system.
A key issue lies within the existing snow-clearing contract, which focuses primarily on plowing rather than complete snow removal. While the contract isn’t up for renewal until 2029, Chow insists that waiting that long is not an option.
The city currently relies on residents to clear sidewalks when snowfall is less than 2 cm. Above that threshold, the responsibility falls to city crews. Property owners are also obligated to maintain safe access to their properties by removing snow and ice.
Maintaining clear access to fire hydrants is also paramount, ensuring firefighters can respond effectively to emergencies. The proposed program aims to bolster these existing efforts and provide a more robust response to significant snow events.
