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Find out how we clear snow from roads, sidewalks, trails and bike lanes.
Our crews work around the clock to keep roads safe, but it takes time to reach every area, especially during large or repeated snowfalls.
On this page:
Use our snow plow map during a snow event to check road clearing progress.
The map is only available when a snow event has been declared and stays live for 24 hours after it ends.
Our crews clear roads in stages to keep the city moving safely during and after a snowfall:
Crews start with major routes used by emergency services and transit, then move to residential streets. During heavy or back-to-back storms, neighbourhood roads may stay snow-packed until main routes are clear again.
Watch a short video that explains how we clear snow.
Use our street priority map to check when your street is scheduled to be plowed. You can also check progress during a snow event on the snow plow map.
Check snow removal service timing
| Road type | Service time after snow stops |
|---|---|
|
Major arterial |
6 hours after 5 cm of snow |
|
Major collector / GRT bus route |
12 hours after 8 cm of snow |
|
Residential street |
16 hours after 8 cm of snow |
|
Minor residential / cul-de-sac |
24 hours after 10 cm snow |
Check your street using our street priority map.
We clear sidewalks in busy public areas and other locations that are not connected to homes or businesses. Sidewalk equipment moves slower than road plows, so clearing takes longer.
Property owners are responsible for sidewalks beside their property. Learn more on our sidewalk clearing page.
We follow Ontario's Municipal Act, and Minimum Maintenance Standards to keep city sidewalks safe:
Check if a sidewalk is cleared by the city
Our goal is to finish clearing within 48 hours after the snow stops:
To report an uncleared trail or bike lane that should be maintained in winter, call 519-886-2310.
Check which trails are maintained in winter
Clearing times may differ from nearby streets.
Large plows have difficulty angling their blades to reach into corners and into cul-de-sacs. We partner with contractors who use smaller or specialized equipment to clear these areas.
To help:
Crews may pile snow in the centre of a cul-de-sac or a radius corner to avoid costly removal.
Before a snow event, we apply liquid salt brine to prevent snow and ice from bonding to the pavement. This helps plows work more efficiently and reduces the amount of salt needed to keep roads safe.
Our salt management program helps protect the environment while keeping roads clear.
Find out how to be smart about salt on your property.
