Toronto now ticketing homeowners for not clearing snow
Last Updated: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 | 7:33 PM ET
CBC News
Some west-end residents are upset after being fined by the city for not shovelling their sidewalks.
Toronto bylaws require homeowners to clear their snow within 12 hours of a snowfall. And with this winter's near record-breaking snowfalls there have been loud complaints from some pedestrians about people who fail to clear their walks.
Those complaints prompted the city to send out enforcement officers.
Rita Savalya, who lives on Atkins Avenue, was one of those hit with a $125 fine.
"We're not badgering the city that our street hasn't been plowed, but they're quick off the mark to come here and we're charged. There's no warning. We are charged," she said.
Angie Antoniou, of Toronto transportation services, says in most cases warnings are issued before handing out fines. But in some cases authorities have to be more aggressive, especially if a "sidewalk is so unsafe that we need to deal with it immediately."
Antoniou said city inspectors only visit a street if there are complaints, but they also take the opportunity to check the entire area around the complaint.
Toronto has always had the authority to issue tickets and Antoniou said there has been no change in policy.
So far this winter the city has issued more than 300 tickets.
