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Paul Johnson |
Barbara Gray |
Dear City Manager Johnson and General Manager Gray,
I am writing on behalf of residents in Etobicoke-Lakeshore who are frustrated with the City’s slow response to the major snow event that took place two weeks ago.
Hundreds of residents have reached out to my office in frustration. Despite the considerable time that has passed, my office continues to escalate requests for sidewalk clearing and snow removal across the ward. The slow response has left many neighbourhoods unsafe and inaccessible.
Residents have shared photos, stories, and 311 service requests of high-priority areas where delayed or incomplete snow removal impacted their safety and access, including:
- In School Safety Zones – Families near many schools across the ward have reported that without clear sidewalks, they were forced to walk in active traffic lanes to get their children to school – in some cases for over a week following the storm.
- Near seniors residences – For example, It took 10 days to clear sidewalks around seniors' buildings at Dundas and Mabelle Ave, exacerbating accessibility issues for vulnerable residents.
- On bridges and overpasses – Snow was cleared from the roadway onto sidewalks on bridges (like Royal York over the Gardiner), but sidewalks were not cleared in a timely manner. This created a significant fall risk for pedestrians who tried to cross them. In some cases, these bridges were not cleared until one week after the snowstorm.
- At transit stations and stops – Many residents – especially those with mobility disabilities – reached out to share how they were unable to access TTC or GO service due to uncleared sidewalks of snowbanks, including on Royal York near Mimico GO, along The Queensway, and sidewalks near Islington Station.
- On main streets – We’ve heard about uncleared sidewalks and snowbanks obstructing access to businesses, bike lanes, sidewalks, and parking. Reports have come in along Lake Shore Blvd W from Long Branch all the way to Humber Bay Shores.
My office has received hundreds of emails, phone calls, and visits. The high volume of service requests clearly indicates that the level of service provided is far below the standards we expect for a world-class city like Toronto.
As we experienced with the major rain storm last summer, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, and more intense. As a City, we need to be prepared to ensure safety for all residents following emergency conditions – and ensure accountability for any contractor delivering services on behalf of the City.
I am requesting Transportation Services conduct a thorough review of emergency readiness and service delivery in our winter maintenance contracts by investigating all complaints, 311 service requests, contractor records, and GPS data.
It is critical that contractors be held accountable to delivering high-quality, timely service to ensure safety for all residents. The level of service Etobicoke-Lakeshore received during this major snow event is unacceptable, and residents deserve better. I look forward to working together to identify opportunities to improve our winter services going forward.
Yours in community service,
Amber Morley
City Councillor, Ward 3, Etobicoke-Lakeshore
