Montreal has been grappling with the aftermath of significant snowfall brought on by winter storms, leaving many neighborhoods covered under several inches of snow. With over 72 centimeters accumulated, the streets have become increasingly treacherous, especially for the city’s elderly and mobility-challenged residents. Community organizations have seen a surge of requests for assistance as the need for snow removal has intensified following heavy snowfalls.
Efforts to assist these vulnerable individuals are spearheaded by city programs, particularly the snow brigade service, which has been operational since 2020. This service provides free snow removal for those who need it most, aiming to clear the primary access points for their homes. The registration period typically takes place every autumn, and as winter progresses, the number of requests naturally increases.
On February 17, Darley Polony, the interim director of BGC Dawson, made the decision to postpone the brigade’s snow removal activities until the following day to prioritize safety. She emphasized to her young volunteers, "Prenez des pauses, prenez encore plus de pauses. Buvez de l’eau, prenez un moment, écoutez votre souffle, reposez-vous" (Take breaks, take even more breaks. Drink water, take moments, listen to your breath, rest yourselves). This approach ensured the health and safety of the volunteers tasked with removing snow.
Volunteers, ranging from 13 to 17 years old, were assigned to clear snow from six to eight houses each. This strategic plan allowed for manageable workload distribution across the brigade. Completing their tasks over two days on the 18th and 19th of February, the Verdun brigade succeeded yet faced numerous additional requests for help—many of which were referred to the neighborhood assistance program, La Pelle Solidaire.
Similar initiatives were reported by other community organizations such as the Carrefour Jeunesse Emploi du Sud-Ouest (CJESO). Audrey Solirenne, involved with the youth program, shared how the brigade's prompt reactions helped alleviate long-term workload. "Dès le lendemain d’une tombée de neige, son équipe mettait la main à la pâte," she noted, explaining how their teams were quick to mobilize, which contributed to the efficiency of their snow-clearing efforts.
Nevertheless, not all requests for service could be met. The Carrefour Jeunesse emploi Lachine (CJEL) faced challenges receiving late inquiries. Khadija Widemann Ndiaye, project manager at CJEL, lamented, "C’était trop tard malheureusement" (It was too late, unfortunately) for some residents who reached out after snowfall had begun. Their small team, comprising 20 beneficiaries and 13 volunteers aged 16 to 35, aimed to be proactive, ready to tackle snow removals once any forecasted snowfall began.
The accumulation of additional snow, especially as another storm approached, raised concerns across the city about the overall effectiveness of cleanup efforts. Even though over 90% of routes across Montreal had been cleared, with Pierrefonds-Roxboro and Saint-Léonard leading the way, weather conditions only compounded the urgency for prompt snow management. "Tout le monde va rester à l’œuvre pour cette dernière ligne droite," stated Philippe Sabourin, the spokesperson for the city, ensuring residents of the city's dedication to finish clean-up efforts swiftly as conditions allowed.
Weather forecasts predicted up to 10 centimeters of new snow to fall, signaling the need for continued vigilance. MétéoMédia provided warnings to residents about potentially icy roads and hazardous conditions when commuting home. "La situation sera à surveiller pour le retour à la maison, jeudi. Les routes risquent d’être enneigées et glissantes par endroits," (The situation will need to be monitored for the return home. The roads may be snowy and slippery in places) they cautioned. Emergency services anticipated considerable demands during this time, citing early-morning spikes in calls related to falls and injuries on slick surfaces.
After completing snow removal efforts, the city will soon face another challenge: the pickup of refuse scattered throughout the streets. Trash piles left behind as snow plowing reduces accessibility will be addressed by dedicated teams working to clear up debris as expediently as possible. According to Sabourin, some neighborhoods face struggles aligning waste collection efforts with snow removal operations, stressing the importance of collaboration. Residents are urged to help keep streets clean by moving trash closer to detached snow piles as cleanup continues.
With over 75% of streets now cleared, Montreal is nearing the finish line of tackling what many are calling one of their most significant snow cleanup efforts yet. Mayoral support has pushed forward initiatives on behalf of cleaning crews as they strive to bolster morale and collaboration among neighbors. Mayor Valérie Plante highlighted the collective effort required to weather the snowstorm aftermath, urging, "Il faut qu’on reste solidaires tout le monde pour le dernier 100 mètres" (We all need to stay united for the last 100 meters).
Municipal workers are also addressing larger infrastructural issues resulting from the winter weather. Ongoing reports of potholes have surfaced across cleared streets following the snow and freeze cycles. The city has initiated operations for filling these potholes to maintain road safety for vehicles, demonstrating their commitment to overall community well-being.
All these cleanup activities reflect the larger picture of resilience and collaboration evident throughout Montreal. This community has navigated through tumultuous weather together, demonstrating solidarity, patience, and proactivity—a true reflection of their spirit as they face the challenges of winter.