As Montrealers continue to deal with icy sidewalks, Mayor Valérie Plante has demanded all Montreal borough mayors execute better snow and ice removal. The city is launching its latest snow removal operation on Wednesday, and Plante told the boroughs Montrealers expect quality.
“My expectations are very high and I will not accept inadequate execution under any circumstances, because Montrealers expect quality, flawless services all over the city,” Plante wrote.
Her letter went out as residents around the city continued to navigate icy sidewalks.
READ MORE: Montreal, Pierrefonds-Roxboro mayors face off over snow removal
“It’s incredibly icy over here,” said NDG resident Fritz-Gerald Morrisseau while walking along Monkland Avenue.
“This street, in particular, has been quite icy,” said Michelle Auer on the same street.
“It’s slippery, but I’m trying to walk slowly and be careful where I put my feet. I’m trying to put my weight lower,” said Chantal Leduc.
NDG is not the only part of the city dealing with lingering ice problems, and Mayor Plante expressed her concern in a terse letter to borough mayors about snow clearing.
READ MORE: Montreal to launch first major snow clearing operation
“The operation will remove residual snow, but even more so, it will de-ice all public roads, sidewalks and bike paths,” Plante wrote.
“She is the person the buck will stop at. At the end of the day, citizens will look at her,” said Craig Sauvé, executive committee member. “So to borough mayors, please make sure the ice is removed during this next snow removal operation because that’s the thing that’s really causing the most stress for Montrealers right now.”
In a text message to Global News, Cote-des-Neiges/NDG mayor Sue Montgomery said, “She’s right! We need to do better.”
Sauvé said the city wants snow removal workers to take extra time to remove ice.
How will the mayor’s letter affect snow and ice removal around the city? Montrealers will be watching closely.