Snow Day in the City: Highlighting the Importance of Municipal Government Actions

With the City of Toronto experiencing its first winter storm of 2021, the chaos that ensued has highlighted the importance of municipal government and special purpose bodies within our day-to-day lives. The actions of these entities often go overlooked or unnoticed by residents or other individuals working or visiting the city, as they typically operate silently in the background of our lives. However, when there are disruptions or delays in the reception of these services, the importance of these local services is brought to the attention of the public.

Special purpose bodies, such as local Agencies, Boards, and Commissions assist in the operation of municipal functions. These bodies have access to limited fiscal powers. The importance of access to local services was highlighted during the winter storm event, as seen through the major disruptions within the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) services on Monday. There were multiple subway and streetcar closures throughout the day due to mechanical issues related to the weather. These routes were replaced by shuttle bus services, though both regular bus routes and shuttle bus services were continually delayed as a result of getting stuck in the snow. While it is not unusual for Toronto to experience TTC service delays or disruptions, the TTC had no consistent or reliable way of providing public transportation as a result of the winter storm. The challenges of getting stuck in the snow is another municipal service, with the City spending approximately $90 million annually on the delivery of their winter operations programs. Their website states that it takes approximately 6–8 hours for an average storm to be cleared on major roads, bus and streetcar routes, and streets with hills and bike lanes. Neighbourhood roads take 14–16 hours after the snow has stopped falling to clear.

Most importantly, the severe weather events, in combination with the current global pandemic, highlight the importance of increasing the availability and access to affordable housing within the City. The current shelter system is inadequate in providing safe housing for those experiencing homelessness in Toronto. Fifty shelters in Toronto are currently experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks. The City has responded by opening two emergency shelters and providing 300,000 N95 masks to the homeless population. However, despite these measures, many individuals will not feel comfortable seeking shelter in these spaces and will resort to seeking shelter in the outdoors. With the increasingly severe temperatures and the winter storm conditions that have been present within the City of Toronto, this highlights the importance of increasing access to affordable housing to decrease the homeless population within the City.