SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - With the arrival of snow and ice comes the inevitable complaints about icy sidewalks in Yellowknife, an issue of particular concern outside the downtown core where property owners are not required to shovel them.

Tex Antoniuk said he hasn't yet taken a spill on the slippery sidewalks this winter, but he's come close. - Nicole Veerman/NNSL photo

And with all the talk about a possible carbon tax, Elaine Arnott wonders why the city isn't doing more to encourage residents to walk to work in winter by ensuring all sidewalks are kept clear.

"If you want us to park our cars then pay more attention to the sidewalks," she said.

"The city puts so much emphasis on making sure the roads are good, but they don't make it good for the pedestrians."

Arnott added that although property owners in the downtown core have to clear their sidewalks, "They usually leave a polished surface underneath that's even worse than packed snow.

"There should be sand put down. It should all be part and parcel."

According to city's highway traffic bylaw, all snow and ice must be removed down to the surface of the sidewalk in the Central Business District, which includes Franklin Avenue from 57 Street to 44 Street and specific blocks surrounding it.

Last winter, city council voted against amending the bylaw to make it mandatory for all Yellowknife property owners outside the downtown core to clear sidewalks outside their properties of snow.

"I can't speak for the people who voted against it, but the sentiment that I remember was people didn't want to legislate neighbourliness," said city councillor Paul Falvo, who had pushed for the amendment.

"I think the city has long seen the benefit of encouraging people to be out there and active in the winter. Walking is good for our health; walking helps keep costs down because it means fewer cars downtown looking for parking spots; walking is good for air quality; walking is good for traffic congestion. These are things we want to encourage," Falvo said.

Last year, Falvo organized a volunteer service called Winter Samaritans that offered to clear sidewalks for residents who need the help. He said although there were a dozen volunteers, they didn't receive a single phone call.

Falvo said there is no clear answer to the slippery issue.

"Some people want the sidewalks ploughed everywhere," he said. "That would be great, but that's also expensive, and I think, as a homeowner, I would rather do it myself or pay somebody to do it than pay for it in my taxes."

The sidewalks are particularly bad right now because of the temperature fluctuations that have caused melting and freezing, said Yellowknife Fire Chief Darcy Hernblad.

Despite the treacherous sidewalk conditions, Hernblad said he hasn't noticed an increase in emergency calls for people who have slipped on the ice. But Arnott said that doesn't mean people aren't getting hurt.

"People fall or almost fall and do injuries to themselves without bleeding or calling an ambulance or anything like that. You can really hurt yourself," she said.

"So far, I've been fortunate and been able to stay upright."

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