Item - 2023.IE2.8

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. Directed the General Manager, Transportation Services to conduct a comprehensive review of winter maintenance services for the 2022-2023 season and report back to the September 20, 2023 Infrastructure and Environment Committee as part of the Extreme Winter Weather Plan update, including but not limited to:

- Options to prevent city maintenance staff and contractors from putting snow or ice from roads or driveways onto sidewalks, TTC Stops, or bike lanes and remove any snow or ice that is put on sidewalks, TTC Stops, or bike lanes;

- And in consultation with the City Solicitor and Municipal Licensing and Standards, options to prevent private property owners and their winter maintenance staff and contractors from putting snow or ice from roads or driveways onto sidewalks, TTC Stops, or bike lanes, and to remove any snow or ice that they put on sidewalks, TTC Stops, or bike lanes.

2. Directed the Executive Director, Customer Experience, to review the scope of winter maintenance complaints received in the 2022-2023 winter season and the efficacy of the existing reporting system and report back to the September 20, 2023, Infrastructure and Environment Committee as part of the Extreme Winter Weather Plan update.

Sidewalks that are obstructed with snow and ice create a serious hazard for pedestrians, especially for seniors and the disabled, as well as for individuals transporting groceries, young children etc. As documented in Invisible Women, inconsistent sidewalk clearing is inequitable, creates a serious risk of life-altering injuries and disproportionately harms women and the most vulnerable.

The city invests heavily in clearing sidewalks and bike lanes of snow and ice. Unfortunately, this investment is wasted when cleared sidewalks and bike lanes are then obstructed by snow and ice that are put onto them in order to clear the road or a private driveway. Safe passage for pedestrians is more important than bare pavement for motor vehicles. It is never acceptable to obstruct a public sidewalk with snow and ice in order to clear roads and driveways for motor vehicles.

In addition, a review to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee is timely as our winter season comes to a close, and captured in the recommendations.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.