Excessive Salt Use on Our Sidewalks - by Councillor Paula Fletcher, seconded by Councillor Mike Layton

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The decision

2021-04-07 · Toronto City Council · adopted

As filed

City Council on April 7 and 8, 2021, adopted the following: 1. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to review and update the Salt Management Plan in regards to salt usage on sidewalks, such review to include maximum salt application rates, vehicle calibration, operator training, accidental spills and to report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee about updates to the Salt Management Plan prior to the fourth quarter of 2021.

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2. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services and the Director, 311 Toronto to provide a better mechanism on 311 to record and track residents' calls about excessive salt use and include dedicated service requests for calls on this issue, and to report to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee by the third quarter of 2021 on the matter.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

There have been recent observations made by residents in my Ward who are part of the sidewalk snow clearing pilot about the volume of salt being used on our sidewalks after winter weather events and snowfalls. I have heard from many residents that winter maintenance vehicles are using excessive amounts of salt, beyond what is necessary to ensure safe and clear sidewalks. While they love the sidewalk clearing, they are extremely concerned with the amount of salt being spread.

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They have told me that the over use of salt is not only wasteful, it is also harmful to the environment and animals that walk on it. The City of Toronto's Website states: Salt is damaging to shoes, infrastructure, and the paws of our pets. Salt doesn't disappear with the snow; it washes into Ontario's creeks, lakes and rivers and stays there. This is bad for the environment and can harm wildlife, or even contaminate drinking water. However, the City of Toronto's salt use in practice does not reflect our very own understanding of the detrimental impacts of its use. It is imperative that the City of Toronto review its salt usage guidelines to better reflect the damaging effects of salt overuse.

Staff recommended

Councillor Paula Fletcher, seconded by Councillor Mike Layton, recommends that: 1. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to review and update the Salt Management Plan in regards to salt usage on sidewalks, such review to include maximum salt application rates, vehicle calibration, operator training, accidental spills and to report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee about updates to the Salt Management Plan prior to the fourth quarter of 2021.

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On the record

The item as the City filed it

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