Proposed Amendments to By-laws
Concerning Snow Emergency Periods
The Urban Environment and Development Committee recommends the adoption of the report (January 8, 1999)
from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services.
The Urban Environment and Development Committee reports, for the information of Council, having requested the
Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services to report directly to Council for its meeting on February 2, 1999 on
whether fines should be increased to assist in more effective snow removal, and address the issue of including a provision
for car removal if necessary.
The Urban Environment and Development Committee submits the report (January 8, 1999) from the Commissioner
of Works and Emergency Services:
Purpose:
To amend former Metropolitan Toronto By-law No. 148-70, former City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 400, and
former Borough of East York By-law No. 1-88 to allow the Mayor more discretion with respect to the declaration of snow
emergency conditions and to provide for the extension of snow emergency periods, as required.
Funding Sources:
There are no funding requirements associated with this report.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)the former Metropolitan Toronto By-law No. 148-70, which regulates traffic on certain highways during periods of
emergency occasioned by the fall of snow, be amended as follows:
A.by inserting a new Section 2.1 following Section 2, as follows:
A2.1Despite Section 2 of this By-law, the Mayor may declare that an emergency condition exists on any highway set out in
Schedule AA@ to this By-law when such a significant amount of snow has fallen that the clearing of snow from the highway
is impeded by traffic and parking on the highway.@;
B.by inserting a new Section 3.1 following Section 3, as follows:
A3.1The declaration of the emergency condition as provided for in Section 3 can be extended by the Mayor for any further
period of time required for clearing snow from the highway.@; and
C.by replacing the phrase AChairman of the Metropolitan Council@ where it appears in the By-law with the word AMayor@;
(2)Section 400-44 of the former City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 400, Traffic and Parking, be amended by
inserting a new Subsection A.1 after Subsection A, as follows:
AA.1The declaration of the emergency condition as provided for in Subsection A can be extended by the Mayor for any
further period of time required for clearing snow from the highway.@;
(3)the former Borough of East York By-law No. 1-88, which regulates traffic on certain highways during periods of
emergency occasioned by the fall of snow, be amended as follows:
A.by inserting a new Section 2.1 following Section 2, as follows:
A2.1Despite Section 2 of this By-law, the Mayor may declare that an emergency condition exists on any highway set out in
Schedule AA@ to this By-law when such a significant amount of snow has fallen that the clearing of snow from the highway
is impeded by traffic and parking on the highway.@; and
B.by inserting a new Section 3.1 following Section 3, as follows:
A3.1The declaration of the emergency condition as provided for in Section 3 can be extended by the Mayor for any further
period of time required for clearing snow from the highway.@; and
(4)that the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take whatever action is necessary to give effect to the
foregoing, including the introduction in Council of any Bills that are required.
Background:
Former Metropolitan Toronto and former Borough of East York By-laws dealing with snow emergencies provide that an
emergency condition shall or may be declared on certain designated highways when there has been a fall of snow of eight
(8) centimetres or more in the eight-hour period preceding such declaration.
Also, former Metropolitan Toronto, former City of Toronto, and former Borough of East York By-laws state that the
declaration of a snow emergency condition shall create an emergency situation for a period of seventy-two (72) hours. Such
emergency periods are to be terminated earlier, by declaration, if the snow has been cleared from the roadway. However,
these By-laws do not provide for the snow emergency period to be extended beyond the 72 hour period, if required.
Discussion:
During the recent record snowfall which occurred on January 2 and 3, 1999 in the City of Toronto, road maintenance and
contracted staff worked around the clock but were unable to keep up with demand and clear roadways of snow within the
prescribed 72 hour period. The eight centimetre snowfall in an eight-hour period requirement as provided for in the former
Metropolitan Toronto and former Borough of East York By-laws precluded the City from declaring a new snow emergency
condition. The inability to extend the snow emergency period beyond 72 hours or to declare a new snow emergency
condition hampered the City=s snow-clearing efforts as parked vehicles which impeded snow clearing and removal
operations could no longer be tagged and towed. A future report which will consolidate the current by-laws and add more
roads to the By-law schedule will be prepared for Council consideration.
Conclusions:
Amending former Metropolitan Toronto By-law No. 148-70, Section 400-44 of the former City of Toronto Municipal
Code, Chapter 400, and former Borough of East York By-law No. 1-88, to provide the Mayor more discretion with respect
to the declaration of snow emergency conditions and to provide for the extension of snow emergency periods will allow for
more efficient snow clearing and removal operations under exceptional circumstances.
Contact Names and Telephone Numbers:
Sandra Burk
Traffic Assistant
Telephone: 392-8750
Fax: 392-4426
Belinda Brenner
Solicitor, Legal Services
Telephone: 392-8357
Fax: 392-3848
