Calgary considers changes to snow clearing policy

CALGARY (CityNews) – It’s been almost one month since a major snowstorm hit Calgary and yet, some residential streets are still covered in ice and snow.

Now, a city committee will a new snow policy up for debate when it goes to City Hall Monday.

“you can’t be locked into your house for two or three days, some are longer.”

Ward 1 Councillor Ward Sutherland, along with fellow Councillor Jeff Davison, is calling for changes to Calgary’s snow removal policy in light of the recent snowstorm.

RELATED: City councillors asking for changes to snow clearing policies

The proposed changes to the snow policy include city staff being able to declare a snow emergency to mobilize more resources without the approval of council, something they couldn’t do when the snow first fell as council had already left for the Christmas holidays.

“Of course if the snow department had the ability to make that decision previously, we wouldn’t be having this conversation right now, because that would be getting addressed,” said Sutherland.

The snow that hit Calgary on Dec. 22 was 27 per cent of the yearly total in just 24 hours.

“You can’t get rid of it in just 24 hours,” added Sutherland. “There’s just not enough equipment and resources possible in the world.”

That being considered, Sutherland said allowing staff to mobilize resource more quickly would help the situation.

The changes to the policy are up for debate at council on Monday.