Snow removal and ticketing in Toronto raise resident frustration

Toronto residents say snow routes and sidewalks remain uncleared weeks after heavy January storms while the city continues issuing parking fines; city officials say prioritized removal is underway and most streetcar routes are nearly complete.

Toronto residents report lingering snowbanks and crowded sidewalks more than two weeks after late‑January storms that prompted a city snow emergency. The declaration suspended normal service standards and temporarily banned parking on snow routes to help crews clear narrow streets and streetcar lines. Some residents say they have repeatedly received parking tickets while orange "Snow Removal" signs remain on their blocks and clearing has not yet happened. City officials say crews are working a prioritized plan focused first on hospitals, bridges and school zones, then streetcar routes and other narrow streets. Key details: - The city declared a snow emergency after storms that dropped about 90 centimetres of snow; the declaration was lifted recently but targeted removal continues. - Officials say prioritized snow removal is underway, with hospitals, bridges and school zones completed and streetcar routes reported about 95% finished. - Police data reported 66 cars towed, 30 relocated and roughly 21,660 parking tickets issued in the two weeks after the first declaration, totaling more than $2 million in fines. - Residents across several neighbourhoods report orange "No Parking" or "Snow Removal" signs remaining for days and say sidewalks and some residential streets remain difficult to use. Summary: City leaders describe a staged, prioritized snow‑removal effort focused on critical routes and say crews are continuing targeted work on narrow residential streets, sidewalks and bike lanes. Residents report ongoing ticketing and lingering snowbanks in some areas, creating frustration and access concerns. The city states targeted snow removal will continue as priorities are addressed.