Jess McDiarmid
Northern News Services
Published Friday, December 14, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Council told city staff to come up with ideas on how to keep sidewalks clear of snow following the presentation of a petition from the Yellowknife Senior's Society at the Dec. 10 council meeting.

Pat Neary, left, presented a petition on behalf of the senior's society asking the city to more strictly enforce the bylaw requiring property owners downtown to clear sidewalks. - Jess McDiarmid/NNSL photo

Pat Neary, flocked by supporters in the audience, presented the petition signed by 123 people. She told council she has had several bad falls recently and said sidewalks should be kept clear of snow.

The petition thanks council for passing a bylaw last year that expanded the downtown core area where property owners must clear snow from the sidewalks in front of their businesses or homes. Now, seniors would like to see the bylaw more stringently enforced.

City officials said municipal enforcement officers will go out within 24 hours of a snowfall and check that sidewalks are cleared. Warnings and tickets will be issued for infractions.

City councillor David Wind said that falls constitute a major hazard for seniors.

"A number of councillors here are probably not aware of how big a hazard," said Wind. "It can cause a senior to become non-ambulatory... It's a very serious situation."

Coun. Bob Brooks said slippery, snow-covered sidewalks were obviously a concern and recommended it be referred to administration to look for solutions.

"It looks like we have some issues to work out," said Brooks. "No matter what system we have in place now, there is a problem with it."