This winter has been a long battle for Halifax snow-clearing crews, and with yet another storm set to hit the city, one councillor says it’s time to raise the white flag.
Waye Mason, who represents a downtown district, is calling for a day of action once the snow stops, urging residents to come to the city’s aid.
With another blast of winter expected to begin overnight on Tuesday, Mason says city crews are already overwhelmed with a season of extraordinary weather.
So residents, he said, should help out by picking up a shovel and take ownership of sidewalks near their homes.
“The chances of the city returning to normal by Wednesday or Thursday are pretty much zero,” Mason said.
“Municipal staff are out there every day, but once you have snowbanks that are taller than I am, that’s where we’re at. It’s going to be a really tough week,” he said.
Mason said many residents have told him this is most snow they’ve seen since White Juan.
He acknowledges that many in Halifax have been frustrated with the state of roads and sidewalks.
This is the second winter since the city took over responsibility for snow clearing.
“Could we have done things differently? Yes. I apologize to the public for where we’re at,” Mason said.
“But could we have done something that makes all the snow go away and that all the technical problems are solved instantly? No, I don’t think so,” he said.
Mason invoked a colourful Newfoundland saying, “The arse is out of ‘er,” when he published his views Tuesday on his website.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Zeina Jreige
