Why Do Some Areas Of T.O. Get Sidewalks Plowed While Others Don’t?

There’s a common perception among homeowners that it’s their responsibility to clear the sidewalks in front of their homes within 12 hours of a snowfall, or face a possible fine.  And while that remains true in many regions of the GTA, it doesn’t apply to everyone. 

It depends on where you live.

In East York, for example, you face a ticket of $125 if you don’t shovel your sidewalk, but just a couple of blocks east in Scarborough, or North York and parts of Etobicoke, you can rest easy and save those vulnerable back muscles because the city does the heavy lifting for you.  The fines also apply for Toronto, and York.

So what’s the deal?

The city says the reason is the sidewalks in the suburbs are wide enough to plow but they aren’t in the core.

That’s small consolation to disgruntled homeowners.

“It’s definitely unfair and it’s something that should be changed,” remarked Robert Richardson, one of the unlucky homeowners who falls in the do-it-yourself zone.

But even in areas where fines are levied, there’s huge discrepancies  —- No charges were laid in the City of York last year, but nearly 400 were written up in Toronto and East York .

The city’s Director of Transportation Myles Currie defended the numbers.

“Some portions of the city are more compliant than others, which is what we really want to work for, we really prefer not to lay a charge.”

Seniors can apply to have their walks plowed by the city, and up to 5,000 have taken them up on the offer.  But many complain it takes too long.  (Call (416) 392-7768 to find out how to get this service.)

“It’s taking sometimes three to four days and sometimes it doesn’t happen at all. That’s the real problem,” notes Davenport Councillor Cesar Palacio.