It’s a simple mantra in Montreal politics: win snow removal, win the day.
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But these days, the city is getting an earful from residents over tardy snow removal that has left icy, snow-packed sidewalks across town.
WATCH BELOW: Snow, snow, go away
Over the weekend, the city’s new administration issued a mea culpa after only beginning snow-removal operations on Sunday, several days after a storm.
READ MORE: Montreal official apologizes for not launching snow removal operations sooner
Mayor Valérie Plante‘s team lost a bet with Mother Nature after they thought a warm late-January weekend would melt the snow and save the city money.
As of Tuesday, Montreal says more than 50 per cent of the snow has been removed, but a thick layer of ice remains on many sidewalks.
READ MORE: ‘It’s substandard for sure’: frustration continues with snow removal in NDG
The City of Montreal budgets about $160 million for snow removal every year, enough for about five major snow falls.