Montreal launches third snow-loading operation of winter
Posted January 7, 2026 11:11 am.
Last Updated January 7, 2026 5:22 pm.
The City of Montreal is launching its third snow loading operation of the 2025–26 winter season, with crews set to begin work across all boroughs starting Wednesday evening.
Snow loading will get underway at 7 p.m. Wednesday and must be in progress in all sectors by 7 p.m. Thursday, in accordance with the city’s snow removal policy.
Since the beginning of December, the city has logged over 3,500 requests related to snow removal — just under 20 per cent of which came in the first five days of January.
Officials say early snowfall and fluctuating temperatures have forced the city to act sooner than expected. They say their top priority will be clearing icy sidewalks.
“It’s going to get warmer, we do not want to wait for this to freeze and become a skating rink,” said Alan DeSousa, the executive committee member responsible for mobility and infrastructure. “I think most Montrealers said, ‘hey, I did not know the snow would come this fast.’ Many were caught by surprise.”
Nearly 3,000 workers and 2,500 snow removal vehicles will be deployed across roughly 11,000 kilometres of city streets.
The city says more than 8,200 parking spaces will be available overnight between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., with parking bans lifted promptly once operations are complete. Extra attention will also be given to sidewalks to support pedestrian travel.
“We don’t want to fill up the hospitals with people slipping and having broken limbs and broken bones,” added DeSousa.
Some residents in Mercier–Hochelaga Maisonneuve say they’re worried about streets not being cleaned properly. The borough recorded the highest number of complaints – 388 since December, according to TVA Nouvelles.
“The sidewalks aren’t cleared of snow, it’s especially difficult when you get older,” said one resident. “I have trouble walking and over there it’s even worse. It’s extremely unkept.”
“The past few days, not only has the snow not been cleared, but it’s been icy,” said another.
The city says salting sidewalks to melt snow and ice is part of its regular winter maintenance, but warns that melting ice can quickly refreeze, especially with changing temperatures.
“And sometimes, as I saw yesterday when I was walking home, the ice was below the snow,” DeSousa said.
Residents are being asked to follow parking restrictions, keep sidewalks clear of bulky items, and leave garbage bags and bins on their property. Motorists are also encouraged to park parallel to the curb, about 30 centimetres away, and fold in their mirrors to help speed up operations.
Montreal has also rolled out an updated version of its official mobile app, now called 311 Montréal, which includes real-time snow removal tracking. The free app allows users to receive alerts, view snow clearing maps, report issues such as slippery sidewalks or potholes, and locate towed vehicles.
The City of Montreal invites people to consult the Snow Removal section of their website.
