Department Clarifies Policy on Snow Removal Services

The Department of Transportation and Public Works today clarified its policy on the removal of snow from private roads and driveways. This comes in response to numerous requests from the public for assistance with this winter's larger than average snowfall and the need to preserve available Department resources for essential snow removal services.

"The policy of the Department is that with the exception of certain special circumstances all snow removal from private property is the responsibility of the property owner," said Transportation and Public Works Minister Don MacKinnon.

Special circumstances include such areas as facilitating the safe, efficient delivery of emergency services and school bus operations. The Department's long-standing policy allows for the provision of snow removal services to assist in the case of medical, fire, and police emergencies.

Currently, the Department is reviewing a situation which may fall outside the policy.

"Any instance where government equipment may have been used to service private property outside the policy will be reviewed by the Department and appropriate corrective action will be taken," stated MacKinnon.