Slippery sidewalks have become a major concern in Montreal this winter, with a surge in complaints to the city’s 311 hotline.
This season, the City of Montreal has been inundated with 2,761 calls reporting hazardous sidewalk conditions. This figure marks a 10-year peak, surpassing the combined total of the previous two winters.
Data provided by the City of Montreal to CityNews reveals a concerning trend. In the winter of 2024-25, 957 complaints were lodged about slippery walkways. The following winter saw an increase to 1,755 calls, and the winter before that had 990 reports.
City officials attribute the spike in incidents to fluctuating weather conditions, which have been ideal for ice formation on sidewalks and roads. As a response, the city has significantly ramped up its sidewalk salting operations to ensure public safety.
Between November 15, 2025, and February 15, 2026, crews have conducted 30 dedicated “sidewalk safety operations,” surpassing the typical winter average of 20 to 25 operations. Despite these efforts, officials emphasize the ongoing need for vigilance due to the unpredictable freeze-thaw cycles.
With several weeks of winter still ahead, city authorities are closely monitoring the situation to address the persistent challenges posed by icy sidewalks.
