Get the shovels ready....another possible cut: Snow removal!

[Loralee Reach 245]

Snow Costs TOO much to Canadian Taxpayers

 

Waheeda Harris

 

If it's December and you live in Canada, you've already seen snow covering the driveway, coating the trees and causing havoc for commuters.

 

As of this week, every major city across the country has welcomed a significant snowfall. Some areas, such as London, ON, have had to endure the quick dump of 65-80 cm of the white stuff thanks to Mother Nature this week.

 

 

Although the sight of snow can be a joyful one (where's the toboggan?), it's a source of frustration for municipalities. Snow removal from streets and sidewalks becomes an obsession of residents and with plenty of snow coming fast and furious, can be a city budget buster.

 

According to last year's numbers, Canadian municipalities are paying $50,000-$60,000 for every centimetre that hits the ground and sticks around.

 

With any budget planning, dollars earmarked for snow removal is based on precedent - the amount of snow from previous winters, employees, machinery, and supplies (salt/sand), as well as population. Even though Toronto and Edmonton receive similar amounts of snow, Edmonton has a smaller population, resulting in a smaller budget for snow removal.

 

According to a Metro News story, the snow removal budgets compared with annual sfor Canadian cities in 2009 was:

 

Snow-removal budgets compared with annual average snowfall for the winter season:

 

 

Vancouver $400,000, 8 cm

Calgary $21 million, 106.5 cm

Edmonton $49 million, 123.5 cm

Regina $5 million, 116 cm

Ottawa $66 million, 202.5 cm

Toronto $67 million, 133 cm

Montreal $128 million, 214 cm

Halifax $10 million, 100 cm

 

But what residents really want to know is - why isn't my street cleared? Cities prioritize city streets based on traffic patterns - and work in conjunction with the provincial government with freeways and highways that are under their jurisdiction for snow removal. For larger cities, residents are responsible for clearing their sidewalks, with the exception being Montreal, with the largest snow removal budget in the country and a virtual army of city staff that clears all streets and sidewalks of snow.

 

According to the Canadian Taxpayer Federation, cutting snow removal would be one of 10 ways to reduce the burgeoning municipality budgets, saving taxpayers money, but would it be a cost-effective way to survive a Canadian winter?

[waterrat 1261]

Cutting snow removal is short sighted. The city has certain obligations as the occupant of the land (streets and sidewalks). If the city does not maintain to a reasonable standard and someone is injured (slip and fall or automobile accident) the city will be liable. The damages will easily exceed the savings.

 

The City of Ottawa has a number of options for cost savings. Transfers of our tax dollars to special interest groups is one. Better contacting practices is another. A third is the reduction of crew sizes. We are all familiar with the 3:1 ratio - three supervisors to one person working.

 

Police Services Board is undemocratic. It should be directly elected by the people and be responsible to the people. Today police resources are directed by a few councillors to their pet concerns. In a democratic model the board would be answerable for decisions made as to priorities and costs.

[SamanthaEvans 166766]

Snowfall here in Vancouver has been negligible, so far, and hasn't lasted more than a day or so. Nonetheless, a couple of inches can almost shut down the city. Clearing main streets is important, but bus stops need to be shovelled, sidewalks have to be cleared and side streets have to be made navigable before many people can really get around. When I lived in Ontario, these things were taken care of by the municipality and everyone shovelled their own walks and driveways. A heavy snowfall was just part of life, not a real inconvenience in any long-lasting way for most healthy, able-bodied people.

 

Disabled people and the elderly have a hard time everywhere, I think. They can become virtually housebound, sometimes for weeks, in the hard weather.

 

Cutting back on snow removal is a very bad idea. Much as we like to ignore it, the fact is that we are a northern country and snow is a part of our lives for as much as six months of the year in some places. Reducing or eliminating snow removal services is not just crippling for many people, it can be fatal to some who will not be able to get out if they need to, or able to have emergency services get to them, if required.

[A***** A***** 510]

Snowfall here in Vancouver has been negligible, so far, and hasn't lasted more than a day or so. Nonetheless, a couple of inches can almost shut down the city. Clearing main streets is important, but bus stops need to be shovelled, sidewalks have to be cleared and side streets have to be made navigable before many people can really get around. When I lived in Ontario, these things were taken care of by the municipality and everyone shovelled their own walks and driveways. A heavy snowfall was just part of life, not a real inconvenience in any long-lasting way for most healthy, able-bodied people.

 

Disabled people and the elderly have a hard time everywhere, I think. They can become virtually housebound, sometimes for weeks, in the hard weather.

 

Cutting back on snow removal is a very bad idea. Much as we like to ignore it, the fact is that we are a northern country and snow is a part of our lives for as much as six months of the year in some places. Reducing or eliminating snow removal services is not just crippling for many people, it can be fatal to some who will not be able to get out if they need to, or able to have emergency services get to them, if required.

 

You are right about that. Even out here in Surrey, it can be hell on the roads when the snow flies:mad: