How snow clearing in Edmonton stacks up to other Canadian cities
If it feels like Edmonton is continuing to dig itself out of the massive holiday snowfall, you’re not imagining it.
Snow clearing has been at the forefront of Edmontonians’ minds as we navigate our way through the first few weeks of 2026, with many venting their frustration over challenging road conditions, accidents, and how the City handles snow and ice in the winter.
The City is currently in a Phase 2 Parking Ban on residential streets, expediting snow clearing around the clock until all roadways are cleared. This follows Edmonton’s sixth snowiest December on record, with 416 per cent more precipitation than the 30-year average. Much of the snow fell from Christmas Eve into early January, creating challenging conditions for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
“I know people are frustrated — I’ve heard it in phone calls, emails, on social media, and in conversations while I’ve been out in the community. Local roads are in tough shape right now, and that’s not lost on anyone,” Mayor Andrew Knack acknowledged, outlining the City’s snow-clearing policy in a blog post.
But it got us wondering: how does Edmonton’s snow clearing compare to other Canadian cities? We looked at Montreal, Winnipeg, Calgary, and Ottawa, breaking down their policies on plowing priorities, timelines, and how they handle sidewalks, bike paths, and pedestrian routes. Here’s what we found.
Edmonton
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When it snows: While snow is falling, equipment and crews focus on clearing major roadways like Whitemud Drive and Yellowhead Trail, and clear and apply sand/salt to on/off ramps, bridge decks and river valley hills.
When to start plowing: Following the end of snowfall, when there is an accumulation of 2 cm or more. Priority streets are cleared down to bare pavement, while other routes are maintained with a compacted layer of snow.
Priority system: Four-level system: 1. Freeways/downtown/bus routes/hills; 2. Arterials/collector roads; 3. Industrial/rural streets; 4. Residential streets/alleys
Pedestrian/cycling infrastructure: City-maintained sidewalks, wheelchair ramps, multi-use paths, bus stops, and Winter Priority Bike Loop are all cleared by a four-level priority system.
Timeline: Priority 1: within one day; Priority 2: within three days for pedestrian/cycling to five days for roads; Priority 3: within six days for roads to 14 days for pedestrian/cycling; Priority 4: within 14 days for roads
Montreal
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When it snows: Salt and gravel are spread as soon as the roads and sidewalks become slippery.
When to start plowing: Plowing begins as soon as there is 2.5 cm of snow on the ground, and loading begins once there is 10 to 15 cm of snow on the ground.
Priority system: Three-level system: 1. Major thoroughfares, priority bus routes, commercial streets; 2. Collector/local shopping streets; 3. Local streets and industrial areas.
Pedestrian/cycling infrastructure: Sidewalks are cleared continuously; alleys are only cleared if they are paved and meet certain criteria.
Timeline: Streets are cleared continuously until fully cleared. Montreal estimates it takes four days and four nights to clear 15 cm of snow in ideal conditions.
Winnipeg
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When it snows: Winnipeg monitors the snowfall continuously and applies de-icing chemicals in priority areas. Priority streets are cleared down to bare pavement, while secondary routes are maintained with a compacted layer of snow.
When to start plowing: Priority 1: 3 cm of accumulation; Priority 2: more than 5 cm of accumulation; Priority 3/back lanes: 5 to 10 cm.
Priority system: Three-level system: 1. Major thoroughfares, 2. Transit/residential collectors, 3. All remaining streets/back lanes
Pedestrian/cycling infrastructure: Sidewalks and active transportation routes cleared, enhanced service near schools, and back lanes are maintained to compacted snow.
Timeline: Priority 1 to 2: Within 36 hours; Priority 3 streets: five working days
Calgary
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When it snows: Crews monitor forecasts and apply anti-icing materials when necessary. Crews focus on plowing and de-icing high-volume roads and monitor trouble spots like bridges, hills, and intersections during snowfall.
When to start plowing: No stated accumulation threshold.
Priority system: Three-level system. Priority 1: busiest major roads, Priority 2: major community/transit routes, Priority 3: residential streets (hard snowpack maintained)
Pedestrian/cycling infrastructure: The City clears priority pathways, sidewalks bordering city properties, bridges, bus stops, downtown cycle tracks, but notes most residential sidewalks are maintained by property owners.
Timeline: Major roads: 0 to 18 hours; pedestrian infrastructure: 0 to 24 hours; community/transit routes: 18 to 36 hours
Ottawa
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When it snows: Major arteries, highways, roads, and the Transitway are cleared as soon as snow starts to accumulate.
When to start plowing: At the start of accumulation.
Priority system: Major routes are cleared first, secondary roads and residential streets are cleared after specified levels of accumulation (2.5 cm for downtown and priority routes, up to 7 cm or more for residential routes).
Pedestrian/cycling infrastructure: Downtown core sidewalks and the winter cycling network are cleared after 2.5 cm of snowfall; residential sidewalks are cleared after 5 cm.
Timeline: Major routes: two to four hours; secondary roads: up to six hours; residential roads: 10 to 16 hours. Timelines are suspended during significant weather events.