Item - 2025.IE22.12

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. Referred this request to the City Manager for inclusion in the review of the City Winter Maintenance Operations Review.

At its meeting on May 9, 2025, the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee considered Item DI11.4 and made a recommendation to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee.

Summary from the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee:

The City of Toronto’s inadequate and excruciatingly slow snow removal process following February's major snowfall had a disproportionate impact on people with disabilities and left our streets and sidewalks impassable for far too long.

For people with disabilities, this failure is not just an inconvenience - it is a barrier to mobility, independence, and safety. When sidewalks remain covered in snow and ice for days, wheelchair users, seniors with mobility challenges, and those who rely on assistive devices are effectively trapped in their homes. This issue extends beyond simple delays; it represents a serious failure to provide equitable access to public spaces.

Toronto has made commitments to accessibility and inclusivity, yet every winter, the city’s inability to clear snow promptly forces many residents into isolation. It is unacceptable that in a major metropolitan city, basic accessibility needs are continuously overlooked. A more efficient, proactive, and accountable snow removal strategy that prioritizes accessibility for all residents is needed. This includes ensuring sidewalks and curb cuts are cleared promptly, holding contractors to higher performance standards, and increasing oversight on snow removal operations.