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Assisted Snow Removal: Making a Real-Life Difference

Shovelling can be a pain in the back for even the youngest, fittest folks, so how can we ensure that Edmontonians with mobility issues and seniors with low incomes aren’t left behind and penalized for snowy, icy sidewalks?

Shovelling can be a pain in the back for even the youngest, fittest folks, so how can we ensure that Edmontonians with mobility issues and seniors with low incomes aren’t left behind and penalized for snowy, icy sidewalks? 

This was my core concern when I brought forward the idea for the Assisted Snow Removal Pilot Program in 2023, and my motion in early 2024 to fund the pilot for the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 winter seasons. I believed that this program would allow the City to maintain safe and accessible walkways, while ensuring that people wouldn’t be unfairly penalized if they couldn’t clear the snow themselves or afford to hire someone. It also unlocks provincial funding that many Edmontonians are not accessing. 

This is the first winter of the two-year pilot program, and I was thrilled to get a call from Judy, a senior who lives in Castledowns, saying how much she appreciates it. Since Judy was already signed up for the Assisted Waste Collection Program, she was automatically enrolled in the snow removal program, with the option to opt out. The same is true for citizens who use the Dedicated Accessible Transit Service (DATS). 

“It’s really nice not to have to worry about it,” Judy says.

She speaks highly of her experience using the program, saying that within a few hours after snowfall, someone arrives to clear the snow. “They have been awesome. I’m so impressed. There’s somebody here really fast,” she says.

In late 2023, when Council was discussing the issue of equitable snow removal and enforcement, Sheila Hallett, Executive Director of Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council, had this to say about it: “Currently, the City of Edmonton requires private citizens to clear snow on their property, including city-owned sidewalks. This policy implies that private citizens are physically able to clear the snow on behalf of the city, or have the funds or supports to have it done for them. For low-income seniors with limited mobility, this is, in essence, a levy for a city-required service on what is, in part, city-owned property. This is precisely why snow assistance for low-income seniors must be part of a package of essential services that the city provides.”

This program also aligns with the City’s Accessibility for People with Disabilities Policy, which outlines the City’s commitment to providing reasonable accommodation to ensure that people with disabilities have equitable access and opportunities. It also contributes to safe and inclusive public spaces, as outlined in the Community Safety and Well-being Strategy.

Judy has been spreading the word about the program and recommending it to other folks she thinks could benefit from it. “You hear all the negative, but it’s really nice to say they’re doing good stuff here.”

As a Councillor, I’m proud to serve my constituents and see that my work is making a positive difference in the lives of residents.

Have you accessed any of the programs mentioned in this blog? Let me know how they support your quality of life!

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