The average age of Montreal's municipal snow removal equipment is 12 years. The average age of Montreal's municipal snow removal equipment is 12 years. (CBC)

The City of Montreal’s snow-removal equipment is getting older and less reliable, according to an internal study obtained by Radio-Canada through an access to information request.

The news comes as the city is bracing for its first major snowstorm of the year.

On average, the city’s equipment has been in service for 12 years. The average sidewalk snowblower has been at work through 18 winters, while the average age of the big street snowblowers is 25 years, according to the report.

"The fleet is getting older and the rate of replacement isn’t as high as it should be," the city’s director of snow removal services, Yves Girard, said, adding that maintenance is getting more difficult and repairs more frequent.

The city has bought 12 new pieces of equipment this year and has brought in 11 additional mechanics, Girard said, adding the city plans to continue renewing its fleet over the next two years.

The aging equipment is creating delays in snow removal, said Michel Parent, president of the Montreal blue-collar workers’ local of the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

"The time we take to repair the machines … it slows down the process," Parent said. "We’re less efficient."

Equipment upgraded

In the borough of Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension, Mayor Anie Samson said officials have invested $1 million to upgrade equipment, but there are still problems.

"We often have breakdowns," Samson said. "That happens with equipment from 1989."

Samson complained there are inequalities in the funding provided to boroughs for snow removal services.

Girard said the city is trying to address those concerns. "We're trying to work in central services to have standards for everyone," Girard said.

The city is encouraging Montrealers to use public transit during the snowstorm forecast for Wednesday. Officials said police will be out in force to make sure traffic flows smoothly.

Plowing of snow will begin as soon as 2.5 centimetres fall, officials said. Fifteen to 30 centimetres are expected in the Montreal region Wednesday.