Let It Snow: T.O. Faces Even More White Stuff
Posted February 9, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Continuous snowfall might mean good business for travel agents, but for many in the GTA who are braving slushy sidewalks and slippery streets daily, it’s mostly bad news.
Unfortunately, that frustration isn’t likely to slacken over the weekend. On Saturday another three to five centimetres fell on certain parts of Southern Ontario ( check your local forecast), and there could be even more before the Monday commute kicks off, followed by another potential whacking Tuesday, all broken up by some spot showers.
All of that plus the threat of future flurries and the leftovers from last week have city officials imploring citizens to be nice, and clear their ice. In places where the sidewalks and curbs aren’t cleared, it’s tough going for many pedestrians in particular.
Those same officials warn that property owners could face a $125 fine if they don’t get into the spirit of shovelling, though others argue that’s not enough incentive when the fines aren’t always handed down.
“My proposal is that if you don’t shovel your sidewalk, you get a ticket,” said City Councillor Joe Mihevic. “And that is the warning that you need to start doing the right thing.”
Toronto Operations Manager Myles Currie says his crew is doing everything they can, including enforcing the by-law.
“Typically we’ll lay a notice of violation, which gives the residents 12 additional hours to clean their sidewalk,” he said.
“We’ve had 80 per cent compliance with that … we like to work with the community.”
But as it turns out, a lot of residents don’t even know there is a way to deal with snowy sidewalks.
“I was not even aware that there was a fine,” admitted one local Renee Foisy-Marquis. “It’s certainly not being enforced.”
If you know of someone who does need help clearing their sidewalk, click here.
If you’d like to file a complaint about someone who’s not clearing theirs, click here.
More Snow On The Way As GTA Struggles To Cope With What’s Already Here
