BD Beats Event Listings

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
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News Release 

February 19, 2025

Snow removal operations begin today in a phased approach across Toronto

City of Toronto crews and contractors who have worked 24/7 to clear snow from roads and sidewalks since last Wednesday are now beginning snow removal operations across the city. 

Toronto received 53 centimetres of snow over separate multi-day snowstorms in the last 10 days. Snow removal is expected to take up to three weeks, with snow transported by dump trucks to five designated storage sites. Snow removal was completed in some locations on Friday to ensure safe accessibility for pedestrians, emergency vehicles and public transit.

As directed by Toronto City Council, snow removal will be prioritized to occur first at locations such as main street roads and sidewalks with transit routes, hospitals and emergency services stations, as well as roads with limited space for snow storage. The City is coordinating efforts with Toronto school boards to ensure school bus drop off locations are cleared.   

Prioritizing these locations helps improve safety, accessibility and mobility for vulnerable road users including pedestrians, people with disabilities and school students, as well as maintaining access for first responders.

Additional details and timelines for snow removal operations will be shared as they are confirmed. The City will be working 24/7 and residents may experience noise and traffic disruptions; however, any inconvenience will be temporary and localized. Evening and overnight operations on major streets will be scheduled to minimize traffic congestion in those areas. 

Residents will begin to see temporary orange signage (https://www.toronto.ca/home/media-room/video-b-roll-images/snow-clearing-removal/) in snowbanks advising them to move their vehicles off the street ahead of snow removal operations. Residents may also receive a knock on their door from crews requesting they move their vehicles for snow removal. 

Snow removal on this scale was last required in January 2022. Since then, the City has enhanced its winter snow removal operations with more capacity for in-house hand crews, additional snow removal equipment, advance public communications and updated by laws regarding Major Snowstorm Condition and Significant Weather Event declarations.

Parking prohibitions remain in effect on snow routes

The Major Snowstorm Condition and Significant Weather Event declared on Wednesday, February 12, will remain in effect until roadways are deemed safe.

Parking remains prohibited on snow routes which includes all streetcar routes. Vehicles parked on snow routes will be towed at the owner’s expense and are also subject to a fine of up to $200. To locate a towed vehicle, contact Toronto Police Service (TPS) at 416-808-2222.

A list and map of snow routes (red roads only) are on the City’s website: https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/road-maintenance/winter-maintenance/major-snow-event/.

As of this morning, TPS Parking Enforcement has issued 3,085 tickets to vehicles parked on snow routes and 41 vehicles have been towed. The City appreciates the public’s help keeping snow routes clear for crews to do their job and for transit vehicle access.

Due to the volume of snow accumulated, it may take longer than expected to clear city roads and sidewalks. Under the Significant Weather Event declaration, the City is exempt from Provincial service levels for winter maintenance, as per provincial regulations (https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/060612). 

Advice for the public

The City continues to accept 311 service requests for snow clean-up. Residents can report areas that need attention, such as large windrows, by calling 311 or on the City’s website at https://www.toronto.ca/home/311-toronto-at-your-service/submit-a-service-request-or-feedback/ or the 311 Toronto mobile application. 

The City appreciates everyone’s patience and assistance while snow removal is being completed as quickly and effectively as possible.

Residents are reminded to shovel snow onto their own property and avoid shovelling snow onto the street. Moving snow from private property onto roads, sidewalks and bikeways is illegal and can result in a fine. 

Torontonians are also reminded to clear snow around their homes, ensuring that vents for dryers, furnaces, water heaters and other heating appliances are unobstructed to prevent the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning - and that there is a clear 1.2-metre radius around fire hydrants. 

While the Major Snowstorm Condition is in effect, the City encourages the public to leave their vehicles at home and use public transit where possible.

Follow the City on X to get the latest updates via https://x.com/cityoftoronto. Residents can view plowing operations as they occur at www.toronto.ca/plowTO. Please note that snow removal operations are not available on PlowTO. 

Toronto has a comprehensive snow response plan that prioritizes the safety and movement of residents. More information is available at www.toronto.ca/snow.

Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit www.toronto.ca or follow us on X at x.com/cityoftoronto, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofto.