​​​​Resources and reminders for snow-clearing operations and safety measures

BRAMPTON, ON (November 28, 2024) – With winter around the corner, the City of Brampton is ready with new equipment and strengthened measures to keep roads clear and vehicles moving. Learn more and access resources by visiting brampton.ca/snow.​

A City of Brampton snow plow prepared to clear snow and ice from local roads. Credit: City of Brampton​

​​Maintaining safe, accessible streets during winter weather

Parking on streets is prohibited during winter weather events to ensure that plows, salters and emergency vehicles have safe passage. Under the City’s by-law​, vehicle owners can be fined for interfering with snow removal or winter maintenance:

• First Offence: $125
• Second Offence: $250
• Subsequent Offences: $500

In addition, the City will continue its proactive approach to towing vehicles obstructing snow operations. By-law Enforcement Officers will inspect streets ahead of scheduled plowing, arranging towing as necessary to keep roads clear.

Brampton’s Plow Tracker

During a winter weather event, residents can continue to track the progress of snow maintenance efforts using the City’s Plow Tracker on brampton.ca/snow​ or through the 311 mobile app. With this tool, users can check snow maintenance for real-time updates, road priorities and even see if a plow is near them, allowing time to move vehicles off the road. Service requests can also be submitted through the tracker. Check the website throughout the winter months, during weather events to follow the plow tracker.

Snow removal by the numbers

Each winter, the City provides snow removal and maintenance services to:

• 4,162 lane kilometres of roads,
• 1,416 kilometres of sidewalks fronting City-owned properties,
• 2,562 transit stops,
• 224 kilometres of recreational trails,
• 231 school crossings, and
• 84 City facility parking lots.

During snow events, crews begin plowing when snow reaches five centimetres, prioritizing major roadways for maximum road safety before addressing local streets.

Snow-clearing reminders for residents

Following a winter weather event, homeowners and occupants are reminded of their responsibilities under the City’s Snow and Ice Removal By-law​, to ensure safe and accessible streets and sidewalks for all:

• Clear sidewalks of snow and ice by 11 am the day after a snowfall.
• Keep fire hydrants on your property free from snow to maintain emergency access.
• Do not shovel snow onto the roadway, as this creates a safety risk for vehicles and can block catch basins, increasing flooding potential. This is considered fouling the highway (dumping) and is contrary to the Highway Traffic Act.
• Do not park on the street until it has been salted or plowed. Parking considerations are suspended during snow events, and any previously issued permits are invalid to ensure snow-clearing crews have full access and to prevent service delays.

​Snow-clearing financial assistance for residents​

The City’s Financial Assistance Program for snow-clearing resumes this year, offering eligible individuals 65 years old and older and individuals living with disabilities support to hire help for snow removal from sidewalks and driveways. Renters are once again eligible to apply. Eligible applicants can receive grants of up to $300 for non-corner lot properties or up to $400 for corner lots. Residents can learn more about the program, determine their eligibility and apply by visiting this website. ​

Emergency preparedness

Emergencies can strike any time and any place without warning. During these times, emergency responders will need to assist those residents in urgent need first. This means it is important to be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for at least 72 hours during a major emergency. In these circumstances, you will need an emergency preparedness kit with adequate supplies to keep you and your family self-sufficient. Find safety tips and emergency kit information at brampton.ca/prepared.

​Quotes

“The City of Brampton is fully prepared for the winter season, with comprehensive plans and resources in place to keep our roads safe and accessible. We encourage eligible residents to take advantage of our snow-clearing financial assistance program and to be mindful of parking restrictions to ensure that our crews can do their important work efficiently. Together, we can make this winter safe for everyone in our community.” - Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton

​“As we resume our snow-clearing operations, we remain committed to supporting seniors and individuals with disabilities who need help with snow removal. It is vital for all residents to do their part by keeping our streets clear and accessible for emergency vehicles and snowplows.” - Paul Vicente, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 & 5; Chair, Public Works and Engineering Committee, City of Brampton

​“Our dedicated teams are ready to respond to winter weather conditions and maintain our extensive infrastructure. With proactive measures in place, including the Plow Tracker and enhanced towing enforcement, we are focused on delivering effective snow removal and ensuring that our roads, sidewalks, and public spaces remain safe for all. We urge residents to prepare for winter weather and stay informed about our operations.”- Shane Loftus, Director, Road Maintenance, Operations and Fleet, City of Brampton