New Budget Includes Windrow Removal for All Residents
Mississauga residents will soon see relief from the dreaded piles of snow and ice, known as windrows, left at the end of their driveways after snowplows clear the streets. The city council has approved a plan to provide windrow clearing for all driveways across Mississauga starting in the 2025-26 winter season.
Budget Highlights
The new service comes as part of the City of Mississauga’s 2025 budget, which includes a 3.3 per cent property tax increase, amounting to an additional $224 for the average household. Of this, $21 per household will fund the city-wide windrow removal program, ensuring driveways remain accessible even after heavy snowfall.
Other snow-related services included in the budget are:
- Secondary sidewalk clearing: $7 per household.
- Enhanced snow removal for bike lanes: $1 per household.
Responding to Community Demand
The decision to implement windrow clearing follows years of resident advocacy. Windrows have been a recurring issue, especially during severe winters when major storms left many Mississauga residents unable to leave their homes. Complaints about damage to personal snow-clearing machines and physical strain on residents highlighted the urgent need for action.
Gianluca Ferrari, president of the Huron Heights Residents Association, welcomed the plan, emphasizing that the service will benefit residents of all ages, particularly seniors and those with physical limitations.
“Gridlock starts on your driveway when you have to stop and clear your windrow,” Ferrari told councillors, noting the program’s broader impact on improving accessibility and safety.
Current Programs for Seniors and Disabled Residents
For the current winter season, Mississauga continues to offer its Driveway Windrow Snow Clearing Program, which provides assistance to residents aged 65 and over or those with physical disabilities. Applications for this year’s program closed on November 22, and the service will run until March 24, 2025.
Past Challenges and Future Solutions
The issue of windrow clearing gained significant attention during the winter of 2022-23 when major snowstorms left many residents stranded. Council faced mounting pressure to adopt a city-wide program after public frustration boiled over, leading to isolated incidents of residents attacking snowplow drivers.
In May 2023, council deferred implementing a city-wide program due to cost concerns, with an estimated annual expense of $11.6 million. However, continued public outcry and the need for equitable service delivery prompted the recent budget approval.
While the 2025 budget has been approved, city officials note that adjustments could still be made before implementation next year. If all goes as planned, Mississauga will join Toronto, Vaughan, and Richmond Hill in offering city-wide windrow clearing services, providing much-needed relief to its residents.
The first city-wide windrow removal is expected to begin in late 2025, marking a significant step forward in Mississauga’s winter maintenance strategy.