Edmonton 311 snow on walk complaints soaring, already exceed last winter’s total

In January 2021, the city received 957 complaints compared to 2,184 this January.

Snow on walk complaints to the City of Edmonton's 311 service more than doubled and the number of tickets issued grew by 24 per cent in January compared to the same time last year, according to city data.

In January 2021, the city received 957 complaints compared to 2,184 this January.

The number of tickets grew as well, with the city saying its officers issued 298 tickets in January of 2021 compared to 378 last month.

So far, there have been 4,786 complaints filed to 311 between Nov. 1 and Jan. 31 compared to 4,299 for all of last winter, defined as stretching between October and April.

Part of the difference is explained by last year’s relatively mild winter that was also the city’s second-driest in more than 100 years, according to Environment Canada.

But, the number of complaints could also outpace the winter of 2019/2020, where there were 2,333 complaints at the end of January and 5,648 at the end of winter.

That season, nearly 35 per cent of complaints came in February.