One of Markham's regional councillors wants to know whether residents are ready to pay for the city to clear the hard-packed ridge of snow that plows leave at the end of driveways.
Regional Councillor Alan Ho has launched an online survey asking residents whether Markham should offer windrow clearing across the whole city. Snow cleanup has come up at recent city meetings, with several councillors relaying complaints from residents about the difficulty of clearing windrows after the plow goes by.
The survey is Ho's own initiative. It is not a City of Markham consultation, and it does not guarantee that the issue will come to council as a formal agenda item. Ho has said he expects to share the results with council for discussion by the end of February.
What the city offers now
Markham does not clear windrows city-wide. Its Snow Windrow Removal Assistance Program provides free windrow clearing for residents aged 60 and older. The age limit was lowered from 65 to 60 in 2008. Residents between 12 and 60 can also qualify if they provide a doctor's note confirming they are physically unable to shovel.
Neighbouring Richmond Hill and Vaughan do provide windrow clearing, and Markham has looked at the idea before. In 2019 the city ran a survey on its Your Voice Markham platform. It drew 71 responses, with 40.8 per cent in favour of a city-wide service and 59.2 per cent against. Ho has said those results are out of date and do not reflect current winter conditions or today's costs.
Cost is the main hurdle
A staff report to council in September 2022 estimated that a city-wide program would add about $4.6 million a year to Markham's costs. Ho has noted that inflation and higher labour costs would likely push that figure higher now. At the time, council kept existing winter maintenance service levels and cut the duration of the seniors' windrow service to four hours.
The 2022 report also flagged practical problems. Windrow clearing needs slower, specialized equipment, which could slow the overall plowing operation. Staff pointed out that Richmond Hill and Vaughan have seen service delays and some curb damage with their programs.
There is also a fairness question. A city-wide service would be paid for through property taxes, but not every household would use it.
Those living in condominiums or properties where snow removal is handled by private contractors, or homes with rear-lane driveways, may see little direct benefit from the service.
— Alan Ho, Markham regional councillor
How to weigh in
The survey asks for a postal code and whether the respondent supports city-wide windrow clearing, keeping in mind the service limits and the likely effect on taxes. Residents can fill it out online. Seniors who need help with windrows this winter can apply to the city's existing assistance program.
