How did Winnipeg score in last winter’s snow-clearing process?

Winnipeg is getting a good score for its snow-clearing ability according to an annual report, but more work is still needed.

The Public Service provides an annual report for the previous year’s snow-clearing operations, highlighting what went well during the season and where improvements can be made.

For the 2025-26 winter, the city received a grade of 3.3 out of five, putting it in the “good” category.

A further breakdown shows the city got a “very good” mark for how prompt it is at clearing roads after a snow event and received “good” marks for things such as sidewalk clearing, dealing with icy conditions, and limiting the environmental impact.

However, one category was ranked as “poor,” according to the report, with Winnipeggers not getting fast responses or resolutions to their snow-related concerns and complaints.

“The trend for these results demonstrates relative consistency with the 2025 Resident Satisfaction Survey, which found that 74 per cent of residents are very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with snow removal services,” the report reads.

Last winter was a much more average winter, the report reads, but it notes there were more days with snow, melting and high-wind days, which led to more operations compared to the 2024-25 winter.

One of the bright spots in the report was the city starting the snow operations map for sidewalk clearing.

All sidewalk plow machines were equipped with tracking technology for the first time, which allowed the city to update what parts of the city were being plowed and show how the work was going.

“The enhanced map improved operational visibility, enabled more consistent internal reporting, and provided residents with near-real-time information on the progress of sidewalk and pathway clearing,” the report reads. “This represents a major step forward in using data and technology to improve winter operations, strengthen public communication, and support safe and accessible winter infrastructure.”

The snow clearing costs for the 2025 calendar year topped out at $46.8 million, which was over by $1.1 million in the original adopted budget.

“2025 results are significantly better than in prior years due to two factors, favourable weather conditions and improvements to the budget as a part of the multi-year budget process.”