City report recommends adding $3 million in equipment to keep up with sidewalk snow clearing
The City of Winnipeg has a plan to improve snow clearing on sidewalks, but it will cost more money.
A new report at city hall found none of the policy timelines for snow removal on sidewalks and paths were met this winter because of the record snowfall and shortage of equipment.
"I could see that there was a clear disconnect between our snow clearing policy with the city and what was actually being delivered," said Coun. Matt Allard.
As a result of the report, it recommends adding 15 new sidewalk snow clearing machines at a cost of $3,017,400.
"Services cost money. I'm okay with that," one Winnipegger said.
I think it's a fantastic idea. I don't think the city was doing a good job this winter," another person said.
However, not everyone likes the proposed idea.
Jasmine Wiens said she thinks the money should be spent elsewhere.
"There's more garbage; the garbage cans aren't emptied regularly. That bothers me more," she said.
Right now, most sidewalks are cleared by city staff. To help meet proper timelines, the report recommends 506 kilometres of sidewalk clearing be transferred to contractors.
Snow removal is currently done on 3,000 kilometres of sidewalks, bike paths and park pathways.
"I think this should be an increased level of service for Winnipeggers, if we go in this direction," said Allard.
The city is also looking at ways to beef up snow removal on streets and sidewalks done by private companies with fines and by reducing the size of some zones.
It is looking at applying penalties to contractors if work in a snow zone is not complete within 12 hours. Currently, fines kick in at 36 hours.
Another change will see the size of snow zones balanced out, reducing the number of kilometres in some to make it easier to get the operation done within the 12-hour period.
Snow route parking bans could also change. They currently run from December to February but could be changed to be in place from November to April to adapt to weather conditions.
The city’s infrastructure committee is set to debate the changes next week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.