Breadcrumb Trail Links
Local News
Article content
A cutback to policing icy sidewalks and bus stops could make navigating Edmonton more difficult this winter, especially for people with disabilities.
Edmontonians must shovel their own sidewalks after a snowfall or face a $100 fine, plus the cost of removal, if they do not. But less money is set aside for enforcement this winter — $275,000 or about one-quarter of last season’s $1.05 million budget — and 26 per cent fewer officers will enforce snow clearing and parking rules.
Advertisement 2
Article content
Article content
This also means fewer eyes will be on 14 per cent of Edmonton Transit System (ETS) bus stops over the winter months. Private property owners are responsible for clearing 699 of Edmonton’s 5,050 public transit stops, ETS branch manager Carrie Hotton-MacDonald confirmed with Postmedia. Even if city council votes later this month to add $5.2 million over three years for manual shoveling, bus stops adjacent to private property — such as stops in residential areas without transit shelters — are up to individual landowners to clear.
“The city does not conduct snow clearing on these (699) stops as it is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner as per the community standards bylaw,” Hotton-MacDonald stated in an email. “Snow clearing of these bus stops would not be included with changes to snow and ice control service levels, should the additional funding proposed at the urban planning committee meeting on Oct. 11 be approved.”
Related Stories
Edmonton may reverse cut to snow clearing at bus stops
Edmonton may take 22 days to clear bus stops and paths of snow and ice next winter
Less snow and ice removal spending in Edmonton next winter: budget
Edmonton winter parking ban violators could face stiffer fines, crackdown on sidewalk snow shovelling
Headline News
Article content
Advertisement 3
Article content
Five rather than 15 seasonal municipal enforcement officers are being hired for a total of 28, including permanent staff, down from 38, the city told Postmedia. Last winter Edmonton officers handed out more than three times as many warnings and close to double the tickets as in winter 2021-2022.
But a lower enforcement budget means officers will spend less time proactively checking pedestrian hotspots and higher-risk areas such as seniors homes, along ETS and DATS routes, hospitals, school zones, recreation centres and commercial areas. The priority is enforcing parking bans, as was the case last year.
“When a parking ban is not in effect, these five new officers will conduct proactive snow on-walk enforcement in areas identified as high pedestrian traffic, low mobility and public safety concerns,” Keith Scott, management director for complaints and investigations in Edmonton’s community standards branch, said in an email.
“The difference between what was spent (overall) in the snow and ice control program 2022-23 winter season, and what is approved for the 2023-24 winter season, is about $9 million. As a result, we will see a reduction in service levels in the coming winter season.”
Advertisement 4
Article content
Complimentary towing was introduced last year but is not returning.
City council is set Oct. 24 to debate increasing the budget for manually-shoveled areas. If passed, bus stops and some other public pathways would be cleared within 14 days of a snowfall instead of 22 days.
City doesn’t understand winter barriers: disability advocate
Katrina Breau, president of the Voice of Albertans with Disabilities, is grateful city councillors are considering topping up funds for manual shoveling.
But that money alone won’t solve the challenges Edmontonians with disabilities face traversing the city during the winter, she said. She thinks city council doesn’t have the full picture and paying for better clearing during the winter is a basic need for accessibility.
“I don’t think they truly understand the full impacts of the snow on people with these types of limitations,” she said in an interview Sunday. “The disabled population finds it difficult to mobilize along sidewalks, crossing streets, intersections, and alleyways that aren’t (cleared) … all of those things create barriers.”
Advertisement 5
Article content
“It’s important to look at necessities (in the budget) … really ask yourself, is this a want or a necessity for the basics of life for some people?”
Breau said people with disabilities are isolated during the winter months because they can’t navigate terrain not cleared of snow, and the city needs to see snow clearing as a necessity when budget time comes.
“The isolation everyone felt during the start of COVID and how you had to remain home, it kind of gave a highlight on what it would be like if that was your life. Because for many people, they are forced to live like continuously,” she said.
Breau wants to see city councillors talk with people who are experiencing accessibility issues during the winter.
lboothby@postmedia.com
@laurby
Article content
Share this article in your social network
Comments
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.