Since 2017, the town of Amherstburg is responsible for clearing and salting all 58 km of municipal sidewalks and trails.

There was some confusion and/or misinformation about sidewalk snow removal in response to my Slushy Sidewalk Barriers post and Facebook post about another dangerous icy sidewalk.

Image description: ice and snow covered municipal sidewalk posing a barrier to people with disabilities.

The town’s website states: Snow Removal on Sidewalks – “At the December 11, 2017 Council meeting Council approved a Town wide sidewalk snow removal program. By-law 2005-04 regulating residents performing sidewalk snow removal WAS REPEALED by Town Council and no longer in effect.”

 “Please be aware that all municipal sidewalks will now be cleared of snow and ice by Town Staff.” – Town of Amherstburg

The town site lists  519-736-3664 as the Infrastructure Services Department number to call for a problem between 8 am and 4 pm.

The emergency after hours number is 519-561-6365.

The Supreme Court of Canada, in Nelson (City) v. Marchi, 2021 SCC 41, ruled municipalities can be held liable for injuries caused by its snow clearing decision.

Ms. Marchi was injured when she crossed a snowbank to access a municipal sidewalk.

The judges said the city owed her a “duty of care.”