As we reach the middle of winter in Ontario, officials from Cambridge, Kitchener, and Guelph are reflecting on the season so far and looking for ways to enhance winter maintenance efforts.
This season, Waterloo Region has seen over 200 cm of snow, creating a lot of work for road crews who are facing tough weather and a shortage of road salt.
The winter began earlier than usual this year, with significant snowfall starting in early November. Because of all that snow, regional police have reported 4,600 crashes already this season, which is more than the 4,300 incidents recorded last winter.
In Cambridge, Councillor Helen Schwery mentioned that she’s been hearing concerns from residents about inadequate snow clearing and salting this season, which poses a serious public safety risk.
To address these complaints, Schwery plans to present a motion to council later this month. She wants staff to explain the provincial minimum maintenance standards for winter operations, review the challenges faced this season, and suggest options to improve current services for snow removal and salting residential roads.
This week in Guelph, Mayor Cam Guthrie proposed that the operations department examine service levels related to winter maintenance as part of the annual internal audit. This investigation would include recommendations for potential additional services and ways to engage the community.
Today #Guelph City Council committee met to discuss many items:
1. Guelph Chief Administrative Officer 2026 Objectives
2. 2026 Internal Audit Work-plan (yes, this one had to do with winter maintenance (snowplowing) as well)
3. Mayor and Council Compensation… pic. twitter. com/v LXb YKQsn3 – Mayor Cam Guthrie (@Cam Guthrie) February 3, 2026 Kitchener’s council is also set to receive a report reviewing their winter maintenance operations and exploring ways to improve services at a meeting in June. There’s still plenty of winter left before spring arrives; last February saw Waterloo Region hit with 78 cm of snow.
Source link
1. Guelph Chief Administrative Officer 2026 Objectives
2. 2026 Internal Audit Work-plan (yes, this one had to do with winter maintenance (snowplowing) as well)
3. Mayor and Council Compensation… pic. twitter. com/v LXb YKQsn3 – Mayor Cam Guthrie (@Cam Guthrie) February 3, 2026 Kitchener’s council is also set to receive a report reviewing their winter maintenance operations and exploring ways to improve services at a meeting in June. There’s still plenty of winter left before spring arrives; last February saw Waterloo Region hit with 78 cm of snow.
Source link
