Mayor John Tory declares 'major snow storm condition' after blizzard batters Toronto
Toronto Mayor John Tory is declaring a 'major snow storm condition' to remove the snow left behind by a blizzard Monday morning that forced the closure of schools and major roadways across the city.
The measure, which can last for at least 72 hours but may be extended if necessary, means that motorists cannot park or stop on a designated snow route. If they do, drivers may be slapped with a fine and towing may result.
Designated snow routes are primarily located in Toronto’s downtown core and include all streetcar routes, according to the city. Snow routes are all clearly signed and parking on a designated snow route during a major snow event is subject to a fine of up to $200.
“This is a major winter storm and the city is continuing with its efforts. It’s going to take some time and require some measures that are more extraordinary than a modest snowfall,” Tory said during a news conference. “Today was a good day to leave the car at home. Tomorrow would be the same thing. Maybe even the day after that.”
A map and list of streets affected by the major snow storm condition can be found here.
Tory’s declaration comes after Environment Canada issued a winter storm warning Monday morning due to gusty winds and near-zero visibility as parts of Ontario braced for up to 60 centimetres of snow.
The snowfall was so heavy that the Don Valley Parkway and Gardiner Expressway were closed for several hours in the morning.
Just after 1 p.m. on Monday, police announced that the Gardiner had fully reopened. The Don Valley Parkway had also reopened as of 3 p.m.
Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said some drivers were stuck in the snow on Highway 401, near Weston Road, for hours as plows tried to navigate around the cars.
“Traffic is blocking everything,” Schmidt said. “It’s compounding every issue. Cars are here. They can’t move. The plows can’t get through to move, the tows can’t thought because the plows and cars are blocking their way.
The blizzard warning originally issued by Environment Canada Monday morning has now ended but a winter storm warning is still in effect.
Environment Canada Senior Climatologist Dave Phillips called Monday's snowfall one "for the record books."
"The amount of snow, this over three days, hey this would be a major storm but to think that this is over about 12 hours is quite remarkable," Phillips said Monday afternoon.
"Toronto is like a snow globe. I mean it is snow above you, below you, around you."
Toronto Paramedic Services posted on Twitter Monday morning, warning residents that weather is currently causing them to experience delays on the road.
In Toronto, snowfall accumulations of 30 to 60 centimetres of snow are expected.
Due to the hazardous conditions, GO transit announced a number of weather-related delays and cancellations. Meanwhile, the Toronto Transit Committee (TTC) is also reporting a number of delays and cancellations due to weather-induced mechanical issues.
As of 6 p.m. the TTC was reporting numerous closures, including a complete shut down of the Scarborough RT. Line 2 is closed between Victoria Park and Warden while Line 1 is closed between Bloor and Lawrence and St. Clair and Sheppard West.
Crews are working to clear the trains, officials said. There are no shuttle buses available.
All vaccination clinics in Toronto, Durham, Peel and York have also been closed due to the hazardous travel conditions.
Toronto Public Library has announced the closure of all its branches today.
In addition, Canada Post has announced a halt to their services, adding that daily service and delivery will resume once conditions are safe enough to do so.
Monday is the first day Ontario students were slated to return to in-person learning across Ontario. However, due to the weather, many schools across the province were not reopen for in-class learning.
Environment Canada said the snowy conditions may continue into Monday evening in parts of the Greater Toronto Area, including the City of Toronto.
Pickering, Oshawa, Durham Region, Hamilton, Uxbridge, Beaverton, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, and Markham should expect similar snowfall amounts.
The snow is expected to stop by Monday night ahead of a return to sunny conditions on Tuesday.
An extreme cold weather alert has been activated in Toronto on Monday and warming centres, which were already open as a result of a previous alert, will remain open until further notice.
CAA SOUTH CENTRAL ONTARIO RECEIVING 500 CALLS PER HOUR
The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) says that its South Central Ontario division received approximately 500 calls per hour related to drivers caught up in the snow.
In an email, a spokesperson for CAA said that this weekend’s cold snap, mixed with today’s snowfall, has increased wait times for service “significantly.”
“We are asking members who are at home safe to call us after the storm passes. Our focus is to respond to high priority calls first including those stranded on roads and highways or safety related,” CAA Spokesperson Nadia Matos said.
At home service is currently suspended due to the high volume of calls. Instead, CAA members can seek out their own service and seek reimbursement after the fact.
If you do travel today and your vehicle breaks down on a highway or major roadway, pull off the road, make yourself and your vehicle visible, and note your vehicle's location.
Toronto Police Services, meanwhile, said that between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m., there have been approximately 250 weather-related calls for service.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
BREAKING Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, claims he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women in Winnipeg, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Trudeau Liberals to unveil new bill Monday aimed at countering foreign interference
Democratic Institutions Minister Dominic LeBlanc will be tabling legislation on Monday aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada. Federal officials have scheduled a technical briefing on the incoming bill for Monday afternoon.
WATCH Avian flu: Risk to humans grows as outbreaks spread, warns expert
H5N1 or avian flu is decimating wildlife around the world and is now spreading among cattle in the United States, sparking concerns about 'pandemic potential' for humans. Now a health expert is urging Canada to scale up surveillance north of the border.
Human remains were found at a former Hitler base, but decay prevents determining the cause of death
Polish prosecutors have discontinued an investigation into human skeletons found at a site where German dictator Adolf Hitler and other Nazi leaders spent time during the Second World War because the advanced state of decay made it impossible to determine the cause of death, a spokesman said Monday.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
Ontario MPP asked again to leave Ontario legislature over keffiyeh, Speaker loosens ban
An Ontario MPP was asked again to leave the Ontario legislature on Monday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that was banned by the Speaker last month due to its political symbolism.
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
Trump fined US$1,000 for gag order violation in hush money case as judge warns of possible jail time
The judge presiding over Donald Trump's hush money trial fined him US$1,000 on Monday for violating his gag order once again and sternly warned the former president that additional violations could result in jail time.