Overview
- Toronto City Council, which voted Thursday, directed staff to design a paid system that deploys temporary shovellers only during major snowfalls.
- Council added a requirement to consult Toronto Civic Employees Union Local 416 and recorded votes of 21–5 on the amendment and 17–9 on final adoption.
- Staff must have the program ready no later than the 2026–27 winter season, with interest in launching sooner if it proves workable.
- City leaders say the team would boost surge capacity rather than replace existing contractors, while opponents warn of duplicate services and higher costs.
- The plan draws on New York City’s model, where raising pay to about US$30 an hour this year helped lift paid‑shoveller sign‑ups from roughly 3,500 to about 7,500.