This week's batch of calls for public engagement includes City of Edmonton surveys on improving the pedestrian experiences in winter and an updated downtown policy, as well as County Chats across Parkland County.
The City of Edmonton is conducting a survey to better understand how winter weather impacts people who are walking, cycling, rolling, or using transit. The survey is open until May 13 and will help administration improve safety, equity, and accessibility in winter travel, the city said.
While it's possible to safely navigate a vehicle through some snow, it can be anywhere from difficult to impossible for people with mobility aids to use sidewalks that are covered in snow, ice, puddles, and ruts. Disability advocate Zachary Weeks told Global News it is isolating and dehumanizing to not be able to leave the house for basic needs like medical appointments and groceries. City-maintained sidewalks, shared pathways, and other pedestrian infrastructure are meant to be cleared within three days of the end of snowfall. But private sidewalks are the responsibility of property owners. In the 2024-2025 winter season, the city received 12,400 complaints about snowy and icy sidewalks and gave out 1,400 tickets.
Edmonton's December snowfall was four times higher than usual, complicating snow removal efforts. By Jan. 25, the city had received 4,500 complaints about uncleared sidewalks and given out 640 tickets. The city received more than 30,000 complaints about snow removal in general, and it stopped accepting complaints for a period of time in mid-January.
Around that time, Mayor Andrew Knack and councillors Aaron Paquette and Jon Morgan were among those calling for changes to how snow clearing is funded and executed. Knack said even in an average snowfall year, snow clearing is not up to expectations, and it's likely the $67-million annual budget will need to be increased in the next budget cycle to reach those expectations. Paquette introduced a motion calling for the city to create an option for surge snow-clearing capacity during extreme weather events like the record snow of December. Morgan also introduced a motion directing administration to look for different or innovative snow and ice control tactics. The information asked for in both motions will be included in a review of the city's snow-clearing policy, which is set to be presented to council on Aug. 31.
It costs much more for city crews to clear snow from sidewalks and bike lanes than from roads. The City of Edmonton spends close to the same amount clearing snow from 11,000 linear kilometres of roads as it does clearing it from about 1,500 kilometres of active pathways and other pedestrian spaces. The city told Taproot this is because active transportation infrastructure requires more specialized equipment and is typically cleared to a different standard than roads.
Meanwhile, another city councillor is conducting his own survey, open until June 19, about snow and ice removal in residential neighbourhoods. Coun. Mike Elliot said in a blog post that he wants community input, given the challenging snow conditions that happened this winter. Elliott will also host a townhall on June 29. He wrote that the information will be used to inform his budget decisions later this year.
A woman dodges a puddle while trying to navigate a sidewalk in Strathcona in February. The City of Edmonton is asking for feedback on how pedestrians experience winter weather. (Stephanie Swensrude)
Here are some other opportunities to provide input in the Edmonton metro region:
- Until May 8: The City of St. Albert has launched a survey to better understand the priorities and goals of its business community.
- Until May 8: The City of Spruce Grove is seeking feedback on its 2026-2029 strategic plan.
- Until May 10: The City of Edmonton is inviting input about the planned removal of a signalized intersection at Yellowhead Trail and 66 Street.
- May 11: The Town of Stony Plain is holding public hearings on an area structure plan for Atim Creek Business Park to support industrial and commercial uses, as well as an updated Land Use Bylaw.
- May 12: Parkland County is holding a public hearing to redistrict a parcel of land from residential to commercial use.
- May 12: Sturgeon County is holding public hearings on waste management facilities and the redistricting of a plot of agricultural land to allow a 100-lot residential neighbourhood.
- May 12: The Town of Gibbons is holding a public hearing about the Riverview Area Structure Plan.
- Until May 15: Parkland County is inviting public feedback on its strategic plan. Residents can participate in a survey or attend in-person engagement sessions across the county.
- Until May 15: The City of Fort Saskatchewan has launched a survey for residents in condos and apartments as it expands its green cart program.
- Until May 15: The City of Fort Saskatchewan is inviting residents to comment on changes to its Parkland Bylaw.
- May 25: The City of Leduc is holding public hearings on two redistrictings, one rescheduled from May 11 and another that would shift a plot's designation from urban reserve to mixed-use neighbourhood.
- June 2: Parkland County is hosting a County Chat at the Muir Lake Community Hall.
- June 9: Parkland County is hosting a County Chat at the Magnolia Community Hall.
- Until June 21: The City of Edmonton has launched a survey about the Downtown Policy Update, an initiative to encourage more residential and day-use programs within the downtown core. The update will consolidate the Capital City Downtown Plan and The Quarters Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan.
"Your turn" is Taproot's weekly collection of public engagement opportunities in the Edmonton region. Watch this space every week for opportunities to make your views known. If you know of a request for public input, send it to hello@taprootedmonton.ca.