Why Elmira’s sidewalk snow-clearing program is ending

A sidewalk cleared of snow. (File)

For the first time in more than two decades, residents in Elmira will be responsible for clearing the snow outside their own homes.

Woolwich council voted Tuesday night to discontinue the township-contracted sidewalk snow clearing program, starting this winter. The decision followed a review which found significant issues with service reliability and contractor performance, as well as complaints about property damage.

The township said 405 formal complaints were submitted during the 2025-26 winter season, compared to 14 complaints the previous year.

The most common concerns were delayed snow clearing, inconsistent service and damage to private property.

“Complaints definitely increased,” said Jared Puppe, Woolwich Township’s director of infrastructure services. “Then you’re dealing with damage afterwards that was more than typical.”

The program’s challenges intensified after the township awarded the contract to the only company that submitted a bid. Township staff said the contract was terminated at the end of the 2025-26 winter season.

“The removal this year from the company, well whoever they had, was not very good at all,” said Elmira resident Chris Allison. “I think we went for days on end without any snow removal.”

His wife, Christa, noticed some of the equipment appeared to be missing the sidewalk altogether.

“They actually didn’t really even shovel or do the sidewalk,” she said. “They were kind of up on the grass instead.”

According to township’s own documents, the population of Elmira has grown substantially since the snow clearing program began in 2005, resulting in more sidewalks requiring winter maintenance.

Puppe called the program increasingly difficult and expensive to run.

“I think Elmira has outgrown the program,” he said. “We’ve got almost 80 kilometres of sidewalk now in the township, so that’s a lot of sidewalks to clear. Certainly, it would be cost prohibitive if the township was to take that on themselves.”

Residents paid an average of $133.68 per household. The charge, along with any costs associated with the 2025-26 season and a previously accumulated deficit, will still appear on their final 2026 tax bills, which will be sent out in July.

Starting next season, residents will no longer have to pay a dedicated sidewalk snow clearing charge and, like homeowners in most Ontario municipalities, will be responsible for keeping their own sidewalks clear.

The township will only remove snow on municipal properties.

“There will be a tax increase to the general tax levy,” Puppe noted. “For sidewalks that are public-facing, the township still has the responsibility to clear sidewalks that are in front of parks, cemeteries [and] any of our facilities that we own.”

While some residents expressed frustration with last winter’s service, others said they will miss the convenience, particularly seniors and people with mobility challenges.

“It’s a lot,” admitted Elmira resident Christa Allison, whose family lives on a corner lot. “We have half a block that we would have to shovel. So roughly from there all the way down until we get to the next street.”

“The sidewalk program was an impossible job in the first place and the company they did have was doing their best to keep as many people as possible happy with it,” said Elmira resident Lee Bell. “It’s a shame that it’s discontinued.”

The township promised to work with community partners to identify supports for residents who may struggle to clear snow because of age, mobility or accessibility needs. More information will be shared ahead of the 2026-27 winter season.

For the Allisons, the change means more work when the snow returns.

“It takes me about two hours to blow snow to begin with,” Chris Allison said. “Now I’m going to have to deal with that as well.”