Should the city be responsible for clearing Hamilton sidewalks? This resident says yes

Cameron Kroetsch is a labour relations professional, sometimes writer, and passionate non-profit sector volunteer who cares about democracy in government and community advocacy. He lives in Corktown with his partner Derek. He ran for Ward 2 city councillor in the 2018 municipal election.

It's no surprise that most of the Hamiltonians I've talked to lately have been preoccupied by the weather. More than 40cm of snow was dumped on Hamilton over the past week and we're right in the middle of a cold snap.

It's normal for us to be preoccupied by memories of summer and staying indoors, but that doesn't mean we can avoid appointments, events, and work. While braving the elements is part of the winter fun, it's been nothing short of a nightmare on our sidewalks over the past few days.

The refrain of sidewalks, sidewalks, sidewalks is being sung everywhere in the city. It's heard near our neglected city parks, our unsupervised development sites, and our abandoned rental properties.

Part of the reason we're all hearing so much about our sidewalks this year is because of a campaign recently launched by the Disability Justice Network of Ontario (DJNO). The campaign, called "Snow and Tell" (love the name), urges residents to report dangerous sidewalks through social media with the hashtags #AODAFail and #HamOnt, or to email pictures or stories to [email protected].

From what I can tell, it's been working. I've seen a lot more attention on documenting impassable sidewalks and on acknowledging how it affects those who can't get around easily.

Sadly, despite this good work by DJNO, there's nothing really different about the state of our sidewalks this winter. It's very status quo and still as dangerous as it was last January.

Many times a day I see people in wheelchairs, our elders, and folks with other mobility devices struggling, straining, and worrying about getting around. I've seen some slips, some falls, and some tears.

More chilling, perhaps, is what I don't see: my neighbours, who only a week ago were out and about, are now trapped inside their homes in fear. This not only leads to more isolation for those who are already socially stigmatized but leads to increased stress and mental health issues.

This is a health and safety issue, pure and simple, and there's no other way to look at it. We have a collective responsibility to ensure that we all have the opportunity to thrive.

For those who think that we should all just "be better neighbours," you're missing the point. I'm a fine neighbour and my neighbours all do a good job where and when they can. But some people physically cannot shovel the snow and they can't afford to pay someone to do it for them. The only equitable solution is to ensure that the sidewalks are clear for everyone, no excuses.

And for those of you who say the solution is simply to call and report things to the city, it's just not enough. I've done it and it doesn't result in the snow being removed in a timely manner. By the time that a bylaw officer is assigned to a complaint, looks it over, investigates, and acts, the damage has been done. Residents have remained inside, people have tripped and fallen, and we've all felt let down by our city for another winter.

There are solutions. A recent city report to council reveals that it would cost the lower city about $34 per household per year to have the sidewalks shoveled. I say bring it on already. Let's not waste time on a pilot project or drag this out for years. Let's get it approved now and put it into action.

We have a new council and we're going through budget approvals. We have an unprecedented opportunity to meet the accessibility needs of our residents and to demonstrate that we take everyone's health and safety seriously.

In the meantime, when you're out, check in with your neighbours and those who look like they're having a hard time. If you can help, do it. If you can't, please join the DJNO's campaign and call the city's bylaw enforcement office so they know that this is impacting us all.

What do you think of the city being responsible for clearing sidewalks? Let us know in the comments, or on Facebook and Twitter.