Quebec has experienced a significant rise in snow removal complaints this winter, with increased dissatisfaction reported by residents. The City of Quebec provided data on citizen reports regarding snow clearance from November 1 to February 28 for the 2025-2026 snow season. This data includes complaints, intervention requests, information queries, and suggestions.
Surge in Snow Removal Complaints
During this period, the City of Quebec recorded 946 reports related to street snow removal. This figure marks a 51% increase compared to last year’s total of 627 reports. Interestingly, the previous season (2023-2024) had a slightly higher figure of 978 complaints despite having faced fewer episodes of substantial snowfall.
Sidewalks and Cycling Paths
Reports concerning the removal of snow from sidewalks have also risen. The total for 2025-2026 reached 478 complaints, up from 325 the prior year but down from 543 in 2023-2024. In the case of cycling paths, the reports showed an upward trend with 56 in 2024, increasing to 67 in 2025, but dropping to 49 for 2026 (up to the present).
Causes of Increased Complaints
According to City spokesperson François Moisan, the surge in complaints can be attributed to the high number of snowfall days experienced this winter. Quebec saw ten more days of precipitation compared to last year and twenty more than the year before. Moisan emphasized that there were no major storms, but the continuous snowfall made it challenging to determine the best times for snow removal.
Weather Challenges
The weather has posed additional challenges for snow removal efforts. Moisan noted that two episodes of rain created ice conditions shortly after the snowfall. These icy streets created complications, especially in residential areas, where untreated ice remained on roadways.
Preparing for Future Weather Events
In response to ongoing weather forecasts predicting potential ice storms, Mayor Bruno Marchand stated that the city is preparing for the worst-case scenario. Priorities include clearing roads and addressing flooding issues. Additionally, the municipality is considering the activation of community centers should widespread power outages occur.
Marchand assured residents that the administration remains proactive, providing regular updates on the evolving forecast expected to begin midweek.
Summary of Reports
| Season | Street Complaints | Sidewalk Complaints | Cycling Path Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | 946 | 478 | 49 (up to present) |
| 2024-2025 | 627 | 325 | 67 |
| 2023-2024 | 978 | 543 | 56 |
Quebec’s residents continue to voice their concerns over snow removal efforts, indicative of the challenges posed by increased snowfall. The city’s response and preparations for future weather events will be critical in addressing these ongoing issues.
