The City of Orillia has declared a Significant Weather Event to alert the community that the recent accumulation of snow is impacting municipal winter maintenance operations and affecting the City’s ability to consistently meet minimum snow removal standards. A significant weather event can be declared under the Ontario Regulation 239/02, extending the requirements established in Ontario's Minimum Maintenance Standards (MMS) for Municipal Highways.
This is not a declaration of a State of Emergency.
This declaration is based on approximately 55cm of snow accumulation received in the City between Jan. 1 and Jan. 2.
At this time:
- City facilities remain open.
- Transit services are operating on their regular schedules.
- Waste collection is proceeding as scheduled.
Residents are requested to support snow clearing operations by:
- Avoiding on-street parking where possible.
- Not pushing snow onto the roadway or sidewalks when clearing driveways.
- Keeping areas around fire hydrants clear from snow.
A reminder that overnight parking restrictions remain in effect. The City appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation as crews work extended hours to respond to the weather event. Updates will be shared as conditions change.
City of Orillia winter control crews currently remain operational and are addressing conditions on main routes. As a result of this declaration, all road, sidewalk, and bicycle lane infrastructures are deemed to be in a state of repair until such time as the Significant Weather Event declaration is ended and municipally serviced roads, sidewalks, and bicycle lanes have been subsequently addressed for snow accumulation and/or ice formation.
Municipalities can declare a Significant Weather Event under the Municipal Act, 2001, O. Reg. 239/02, relating to the maintenance of municipal roads and sidewalks. All roadways in the municipality are deemed to be in a state of repair with respect to snow accumulation.
The City will provide updates on its website and on its social media channels throughout the Significant Weather Event and once it is declared ended.
