Toronto declares Major Snowstorm Condition to help crews clear snow from city streets, sidewalks

In the wake of a huge snowfall yesterday, and with more snow expected to fall later today and this weekend, the City of Toronto has declared a Major Snowstorm Condition and Significant Weather Event.

The declaration went into effect as 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15.

A number of the city’s snow-specific bylaws come into effect as a result of the declaration including a number of parking rules established to help crews clear snow from side streets and sidewalks more efficiently.

Parking on roads designated as snow routes is prohibited while the declaration is in effect, and vehicles parked on those snow routes will be towed at the owner’s expense and also be subject to a fine of $500.

For a list of city streets designated as snow routes, please go to https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/9879-List-of-streets-impacted-by-major-snow-storm-condition-2015-16.pdf

As part of the declaration, residents are also advised to postpone non-essential travel until conditions improve, and to always stay well back from snow clearing equipment in order to give crews the needed space to work. Residents are also asked to check in and help seniors and vulnerable neighbours who may be impacted by the large amount of snow.

“Caring for each other is the Toronto way, and it’s especially important during potentially dangerous conditions like we have now. Stay safe and warm,” said Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher in an email update to residents.

The city has said snow clearing operations are now taking place and will continue through the weekend, but may take “several days” to complete.

Due to long delays to clear snow and sidewalks in residential areas during heavy snows in February of last year, the city introduced a new snow clearing plan for this winter. That plan includes the new Major Snow Event Response Plan (MSERP) which is a comprehensive, city-wide emergency framework designed to ensure Toronto is better prepared for large-scale snowstorms, said City of Toronto Media Relations in a news release yesterday afternoon

Key features of the MSERP include:

Scalable emergency response: The plan outlines clear escalation triggers, mapped snow routes and defined roles for staff across divisions. Rapid activation of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) ensures coordinated resources, communications and operations during Major Snow Events.

Surge staffing and equipment development: Up to 200 support staff and 75 pieces of equipment from across city divisions can be redeployed to assist with snow clearing, inspections and towing.

Towing and parking enforcement strategy with enhanced coordination with Toronto Police and Parking Enforcement to remove vehicles obstructing snow routes. Updated signage and digital notifications will improve compliance, and temporary parking options are being explored for residents.

Improved snow storage and melting capacity: The City is reviewing its five snow dump sites—two of which reached capacity last winter—and exploring new technologies for energy-efficient snow melting. In-house staff will be trained to maintain and repair aging melters, and new equipment is being considered.

For more information on the city’s snow clearing plans and plowing updates, residents can follow the City of Toronto on X (formerly Twitter) get updates via @cityoftoronto and can view plowing operations as they occur, with up to a four-hour delay, at https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/road-maintenance/winter-maintenance/plowto/?WT_rd_id=%2FplowTO#location=&lat=&lng=&zoom=