Midtown city councillor Josh Matlow has been tireless in his pursuit of greater snow-clearing efforts in Toronto’s older central neighbourhoods to create parity for these areas with suburban areas that have longed enjoyed snow-free sidewalks. Although his efforts the past couple of years have not been successful, he did not throw in the towel. His latest motion was approved at a Toronto City Council meeting on Nov. 25.

“Safe and Accessible Sidewalk Snow Clearing Motion Approved!” Matlow said, via social media after the motion was approved. “Thank you to Mayor, councillor Mike Layton, city council and the thousands of Torontonians who advocated for the success of this motion. We’re making progress!”

We did it! Huge thank you to the nearly 4,000 (!) people from all over Toronto who signed our petition in support of a more equitable and accesible city. @JoshMatlow‘s motion today puts us on the path to a city where everybody can get around safely – even in the winter. #topoli https://t.co/qFyLuzkR1c

— Alex Forgay (@AlexForgay) November 26, 2020

Before the approval at the city council meeting, Matlow’s Safe and Accessible Sidewalk Snow Clearing motion looking to increase service across the city had already been altered by the infrastructure and environment committee.

The motion read, in part, “It is inequitable that residents in the former cities of North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, and some of York receive sidewalk snow clearing while the majority of neighbourhoods in Old Toronto, areas of York and East York do not. This is especially concerning given that the levels of pedestrian traffic are much higher in these areas. Residents of our City’s inner suburban areas also frequently walk through downtown and midtown, and rightfully expect safe and accessible sidewalks too.”

At the Nov. 5 meeting, the committee adopted several amendments to the motion, including an amendment introduced by councillor Jennifer McKelvie that replaced the call for a “comprehensive snow-clearing plan” for paved pedestrian and cycling paths in parks with a request that the general managers of Transportation Services as well as Parks, Forestry & Recreation “recommend options for clearing snow on a subset” of pathways.

“It went to the infrastructure and environment committee, and it got watered down so much it would be slippery to walk on,” said Matlow. “It slipped at committee, so we’re trying to lift it up so it can keep walking forward.”

Matlow said he asked the council to expand an existing pilot project that is testing new snow-clearing machinery to increase the number of hours those plows are used and to expand it as much as possible.

“I move motions every year to increase slow clearing in our city, but this year especially it should be a priority to ensure our sidewalks are safe and accessible for everyone,” said Matlow, who said the city is about to face the hardest winter it has ever gone through due to COVID-19.

“This is a winter where we’re not going to be going to movie theatres or concerts or gathering with friends in people’s living rooms,” said Matlow. “Walking or rolling in a wheelchair is one of the few things we’re going to be able to do for physical and mental health.”

Matlow said a petition for increased snow removal service on his website garnered thousands of signatures.

“Our city has demonstrated during this pandemic if it chooses to take swift action,” said Matlow. And his motion asked “council and the mayor to do the same for what I think a lot of people expect should be a basic service, which is to ensure our sidewalks are clear.”