Voters told Taproot they want better snow and ice removal
The growing responses to Taproot's listening work with voters in the lead up to the 2025 municipal election in October reveal that many are concerned about snow and ice clearing — though they have myriad priorities for that service.
Earlier this year, Taproot launched our listening campaign at several in-person and virtual events, as well as a 2025 election question on our site. We have been gathering responses ever since, and at last count, more than 850 people have provided them. The listening was built around a simple question: "What issues do you care about as you consider who to vote for in the 2025 municipal election, and why?"
At least 34 respondents told Taproot that they are unsatisfied with the city's work clearing snow and ice. The most common concerns are lax enforcement for parking and sidewalk-clearing violations, whether the city is prioritizing its work to clear snow in the right places, and accessibility for pedestrians.
"As a disabled person who must walk daily, the ice and snow season is very challenging — I need safe walkways," one respondent said. "Too many residents simply don't shovel. Ever. Calls to 311 will get some action, but maybe (significant) fines will do the trick."
One person said better enforcement is "badly" needed. "Both for accessibility's sake, and as a revenue driver for the city. If people can't follow the rules, use them to help pay for better services for the rest of us."
However, another respondent said their neighbourhood has significant violations, but they don't want their neighbours, such as those surviving on low incomes in multi-family buildings, to receive more fines. Instead, the person suggested the city needs to find "creative solutions" for rule-breakers.
"Penalties like fines are harmful to these families, plus there's nowhere for them to put their vehicles, because they don't own a garage," they said. "Why not coordinate with the complex to have their residents put their vehicles in the nearby community league lot or the leisure centre overflow parking? It just takes a little more consideration to solve these things."
Respondents were split and slightly polarized on whether the city should spend more or less to clear snow from bike lanes and other active transportation infrastructure. One person said the city should dump the snow it clears from roads into those bike lanes. Another, meanwhile, said winter cities like Oulu, Finland, have figured out how to effectively keep residents biking throughout the winter.
Taproot has worked to explain the recent changes to the city's snow and ice clearing ahead of the Oct. 20 vote. We learned that costs are increasing, ticket values may change, towing might return, and budget changes are set for debate during the fall operating budget adjustment.
