Montreal borough may charge residents to dump their shovelled snow
Some resident of an east-end Montreal borough are upset to learn they may need to pay for a permit to shovel snow from their driveways into the street.
Donald Froud is already getting his snowblower ready. For years, the retired Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve resident has been helping out his neighbours by clearing their driveways and walkways.
"I'm retired so it keeps me busy," he said, "and it keeps the neighbours happy."
But no one was happy when they got a notice on their doors from the borough. The notice warned them it’s illegal to put snow from their properties on the street or sidewalk, and for those who don’t have space on their private property, they could buy a permit which will let them dump their snow on the street. The cost for his fourplex is $50 and it climbs depending on the size of the building.
"First time in my lifetime I’ve ever seen or even heard of something like this charging to put snow even from our private sidewalk onto the street here," says Froud.
In a statement, Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve Mayor Pierre Lessard Blais called the fee reasonable.
"Many other boroughs on the Island of Montreal have already implemented this type of permit. This allows you to diversify snow removal options while ensuring that snow does not block mobility infrastructure, sewers, etc." the statement read. "In many cases, the other option for citizens is to pay a fortune to get their snow removed by private services."
Froud said he feels it penalizes residents in neighbourhoods like his that don’t have large yards.
"If there’s no place left to put the snow, where are we supposed to put the snow?" he said. "In our pockets?"
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.