This year’s Family Day long weekend started earlier on Thursday, for many families as schools were closed due to the exceptional weather event which brought 3 consecutive days of snowfall over the weekend. The over 60 cm of accumulated snow resulted in significant snow clearing challenges across Brampton and other municipalities across the province.
Our City of Brampton staff worked nonstop to deal with the ongoing snow clearing and illegally parked vehicles. More information about the process, priorities and timing for City Snow Clearing and Updates are available on the city website. Over the weekend, I dealt directly with resident complaints, troubleshooting with staff who continue to investigate and address issues like sidewalk clearing and illegally parked vehicles during the storm. Frustrations during this unusual snowfall is appreciated and feedback from residents has already prompted action. Please read the brochure to be more informed about the do’s and don’t in the weather like this.
Vehicles are prohibited from parking on streets during snow events, this includes street parking permits which are invalid during this time. Despite warnings, many vehicles still parked on the streets, hindering snow plow services. Bylaw enforcement officers busily responded to thousands of complaints and continue to do so.
Furthermore, it was discovered that the towing company currently contracted with the City was refusing to tow vehicles or shovel vehicles out of the snow to be towed, as requested. Despite numerous tickets and requests for towing, many cars remained on the streets with some progressively buried in snow.
IMPROVEMENTS:
Today at Committee of Council, a report was tabled to increase parking fines and zero tolerance for repeat offenders, and lists further improvements to bylaw enforcement service. More information about improvements to bylaw can be found here.
Specific to snow clearing, any vehicle parked on the street during a snow event will be subject to a $150 ticket on their first offence, $250 on their second offence, and $500 for any subsequent offence. This does not include towing costs, which would be added if the vehicle is towed.
Improvements to towing of vehicles will also be implemented with clear expectations for contracted towing companies to respond accordingly. The City will be looking for new towing companies to provide adequate service during winter snow events and will no longer engage the company currently contracted with the city, who refused to tow vehicles.
WINDROW CLEARING:
Because of the exceptional amount of snow, windrows (the piles of snow left at the end of driveways after plowing) were very difficult to deal with this weekend. An extensive public survey was conducted regarding winter snow operations whereby the majority of respondents opposed the $19.6 million property tax cost required for implementation of windrow clearing. It is important to note that even if implemented, the service would not include courts or cul-de-sacs, as the equipment does not accommodate such roadways.
While driveways, windrows, and sidewalk clearing continue to be the responsibility of homeowners, eligible residents aged 65+ or with physical disabilities may receive a rebate under the Snow Removal Financial Assistance Program, to hire a service provider of their choice. More details are available here: City of Brampton | Roads and Traffic | Snow Removal Financial Assistance
TRACK PROGRESS, KEEP REPORTING ISSUES:
With snow accumulation exceeding 60 cm over the past week, efforts will continue for up to two weeks. Residents can track real-time snowplow activity via the Brampton Snow clearing Operations page or by visiting Brampton Plow Tracker for the updates and are encouraged to report online to Service Brampton, with any concerns related to illegally parked vehicles or snow concerns. Please make sure to obtain your COBI reference number and feel free to send it to me for follow-up at rowena.santos@brampton.ca once the service complaint number has been received.
Please use a desktop to optimally use the following tracker.
Snow Clearing Status as of February 20, 2025
Current Operations:
- Sidewalks/Walkways: 55% complete; progress slowed by large snow piles at intersections and commercial driveways.
- Transit Stops: Plowing and salting underway.
Snow Removal Plan:
- Court Removals: Started Wednesday morning; expected to take up to 2 weeks.
- Curb Face Sidewalk Removals: Started Wednesday morning; expected to take up to 2 weeks.
- Intersection Clearing: Ongoing for the next two weeks (Operation hours: 10 PM – 6 AM).
- Bridge Decks: Begins tonight; expected completion in 1 week.
Completed Work:
- Local Roads and Courts: Fully plowed and salted (attending missed streets due to parked cars).
With over 60 cm of snowfall in the past week, city-wide snow clearing and removal operations are expected to continue for up to two weeks. Thank you for your patience and cooperation as crews work to ensure safe and accessible roads and sidewalks.
