Exceptional winter storm: updates and instructions

Last updated March 4, 2025
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Find out more about our management of the exceptional winter storm in Montréal. Special snow removal operations, safety instructions and news regarding services offered until the situation is back to normal.

To follow snow removal operations as they progress in your neighborhood, to find a list of incentive parking lots, or for a better understanding of activities onsite, go to the snow removal section of our Web site. 

You can also follow ongoing operations on our Facebook page.

Instructions

How to help with collections

Here are some instructions: 

  • If it is possible and safe to do so, place your bins on the side of the side of the street where snow was removed to help with collections. 
  • If a snow loading operation is in progress on your street, keep your bins on your property. 
  • If the collection truck did not pass by your home or did not empty your bin (bins should be clear of snow and clearly visible), bring the bin back near your home until the next collection date. 

In cases where conditions are still difficult in certain sectors, trucks may not be able to pass by your address as scheduled. If your bin was not emptied, please refrain from calling 311. Crews are doing their best to adapt to the situation in every area. We thank you for your patience and understanding.

At your home

  • Clear snow from your entrance, all emergency exits, windows and balconies all the way up to the street. To find out more about risks, see this article (in French) by the Service de sécurité incendie de Montréal. 

  • Make sure your address is visible from the street. 

  • Stay in touch with your loved ones and check in on people around you, especially the most vulnerable (such as an elderly neighbour). 

  • Clear the snow from your rooftop and vehicle.

Removing snow from your rooftop

  • Roofs, even those designed to withstand the weight of snow, are currently under unusual pressure due to significant snow accumulation. This is particularly the case with the rainfall increasing snow density during warmer days. 

  • Warning signs such as cracks along walls, doors that become stuck, odd cracking sounds or even deformed ceilings should prompt you to take immediate action. 

  • Also remember to remove ice and icicles that form on the ledges of your buildings and may pose significant threats to pedestrians and vehicles alike. 

The Régie du bâtiment du Québec strongly recommends that you hire specialized snow removal companies for the job. They have adapted equipment and tested methods to preserve the integrity of your roof’s waterproofing membrane.

Getting around

To help with snow removal and travel safely: 

  • Choose to work from home if it is possible. 
  • Opt for public transportation to get around easily. 

 
If you need to drive: 

  • Reduce your speed so that you see pedestrians who must walk on the roadway until sidewalks are cleared. 
  • Opt for main streets when possible, because they are usually cleared first. 
  • Be vigilant: roads can still be slippery. Know how to react in slippery conditions (in French).

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