It’s that time of year again
Winter. And a Canadian winter means snow - sometimes a lot of snow. However, the City of Toronto is ready for anything that old man winter can dish out.

Here are a few things that you can expect as we gear up for another winter in Toronto.

As many of you know, the City’s first priority during a major snowfall is to keep the main roads clear for emergency and TTC vehicles. You can do your part by not parking or stopping on these routes during or following a major snowstorm.

Once the main roads are clear, then our crews can get to the side streets. Ploughing on side streets will usually be completed within 15-25 hours after the snow stops falling. An additional 24 hours is often required to plough difficult areas where snow has not been completely cleared.

Sidewalks, bus stops and transit shelters will generally be ploughed within 48 hours after a snowstorm.

A snow emergency can be declared by the Mayor if more than eight centimetres of snow falls in eight hours. These emergencies are announced through the media. In the case of a snow emergency, residents should not park vehicles on city streets where signs have been posted. If cars are parked on emergency snow routes, they will be tagged and towed.

Here’s an important tip about shovelling snow. Please don’t push snow back onto the road. It’s against the law, hampers snow clearing efforts and is very dangerous for motorists.

Winter, and the snow that comes with it, is a part of what makes us Canadians. By working together, we can make sure that Toronto continues to be a safe and accessible city in which to live, work and play.