A residential street, sidewalks, and surrounding buildings are covered in snow. A man walks down a snow-covered sidewalk. To his left is a bus shelter and a bench which are also covered in snow. One person stands in the bus shelter. In the bottom right-hand corner of the image, there is a yellow banner overlay with the text “SnoWay!”

"SnoWay" Snow Removal Campaign

Winter weather can mean treacherous travel conditions for millions of pedestrians across Canada, especially for children, seniors, people with strollers and persons with disabilities. Snow and ice-covered sidewalks, crossings and transit routes increase the risk of slip-and-fall accidents for pedestrians and pose serious safety and mobility risks for people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision.

Snow removal is an accessibility issue, a mobility issue, and a human rights issue. When municipalities, businesses, snow removal contractors, and homeowners fail to clear snow and ice effectively, people with sight loss cannot safely navigate the built environment in their communities and access public transit, undermining their independence and ability to carry out their daily activities.

Navigating your community after it snows shouldn’t be an obstacle course

Two people from behind walk down a snowy pathway. One elderly person uses a walking cane and holds onto the elbow of their companion. In the centre of the image, there is a yellow banner overlay with the text “SnoWay!”

Sidewalks, crossings, and transit stops are critical and necessary infrastructure for pedestrians and must be safe, accessible, and usable to all – regardless of the season.

Municipalities, businesses, snow removal contractors, and homeowners have a duty to clear pedestrian pathways of snow and ice within 48 hours following significant snowfall (or sooner if mandated by your municipality) and refrain from depositing snow pile obstructions back onto sidewalks or walkways. This includes residential and public sidewalks in front of homes, private properties, and businesses.

Moreover, municipalities should prioritize pedestrian areas for clearance, especially along public transit routes. Transit stops and shelters must be fully cleared so they are easily identifiable and accessible. At intersections with pedestrian push-buttons like Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS), sidewalks surrounding the area must be fully cleared of snow and ice so pedestrians can access and activate push-buttons.  

Join CNIB in advocating for better snow removal in your region

Canadians who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision need to be able to leave their homes confidently, safely, and spontaneously, knowing they can get where they need to go and will be able to find assistance if they encounter an issue. That’s why CNIB has made a commitment to Safe and Accessible Journeys under our 2023-2028 strategic plan, “The Way Forward." 

While CNIB continues to advocate for municipalities to review their snow clearing policies and practices, including budgetary decisions, you can take action by participating in our SnoWay campaign. 

SnoWay snow removal campaign

A residential street, sidewalks, and parked cars are covered in snow. A man walks down a snow-covered sidewalk.In the bottom left-hand corner of the image, there is a yellow banner overlay with the text “SnoWay!”In 2024, CNIB first introduced the SnoWay advocacy campaign to raise awareness among municipalities and the public about the environmental barriers snow and ice-covered sidewalks create and remind them of their responsibility to clear snow and ice from paths of travel. 

Here's how you can get involved in the SnoWay campaign and help advocate for safe and accessible journeys:
  1. If you are able, shovel the snow around your home or business. This routine task, which many Canadians do every winter, can be the difference between someone traveling safely or facing a hazardous journey to their destination.
  2. Submit a complaint to your municipality if you know something is wrong. In many municipalities, pedestrian walkways must be cleared within 48 hours of a significant snowfall – sometimes even sooner. Check with your municipality for an online form or phone number like 311 where you can easily report issues and submit a service request if you come across a sidewalk, pathway, or transit stop that hasn't been properly cleared.
  3. Start a conversation. Talk to your friends, family, and neighbours about their snow removal practices – remind them about the importance of clearing snow and ice from public paths of travel.
  4. Share a photo, video, or testimonial on social media or by email. Show how poorly cleared sidewalks, crosswalks, or transit stops create barriers. Tag CNIB and your municipality or email your submission to advocacy@cnib.ca. Be sure to include an image description, details about the snow/ice barrier and its location (e.g., the bus stop at the intersection of Bank Street and Queen Street), and how the barrier affected your ability to get around safely.

Your participation in the SnoWay campaign will contribute to important ongoing discussions about the impacts of improper snow removal practices for people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision. We hope you’ll get involved and share your experiences – because everyone should be able to travel safely and independently, regardless of the season.