Public Works

A priority system for snow removal has been established under Policy 2018-055. The purpose of this policy is to clearly identify the priority schedule for the removal of snow within the corporate limits of the Town of Calmar.

Priority #1 (see map)

These are arterials in the Town of Calmar and are of the highest priority.  Snow will be cleared from arterials first to allow vehicular traffic flow in and out of Town and to access businesses safely. Highway #39 (50th Avenue) and Highway #795 (50th Street) will be cleared first in accordance with the following procedures. These areas will be plowed and removed with no notification to parked vehicles.

a) Highway #39 (50th Avenue)

  • Snow will be pushed to sides and left for a minimum of 24 hours following a major snow fall to allow for property owners to clear sidewalks, following which the snow will be windrowed and removed with trucks.
  • It is the responsibility of each landowner to remove snow from their own property.

b) Highway #795 (50th Street)

  • Snow will be windrowed and removed by trucks within 72 hours following any major snow fall.

c) All other priority #1 areas (see map) will be windrowed and removed by trucks within 72 hours following a major snow fall.   These include areas around the downtown core and the elementary school drop off zone.

d) Other areas that may be plowed off to the sides with minimal parked vehicle interference will be plowed at this time. Roads include 44 Ave, 51 St south, 52 St south, 49 St south, 48 a Ave to the legion, 49 Ave west, 47 Ave west, 42 Ave industrial, 43 Ave industrial, Hwy 39 Industrial. (see map blade off areas)

Priority #2 (see map)

These are main roadways which lead to the school, seniors housing, and arena/curling rink facilities and surrounding downtown core.  These areas will be removed once a 7-10 cm snowpack has accumulated, snowpack will be measured on the crown of the road.  A 48-hour parking ban notice must be given to the public via the placement of signage and social media notification.  In these rare situations, the Town will proceed with snow removal around the vehicles that cannot be moved.

Actions:

a) Signage will be placed on either end of each street/avenue giving a minimum 48 hours’ notice as notification on the Towns social media platforms.  Snow will be windrowed and removed by truck, the order in which work will be done will be based on circumstances (worst drifting, etc.)

Priority #3 (see map)

These are all other remaining residential roadways. These areas will be removed once a 7-10 cm snowpack has accumulated, snowpack will be measured on the crown of the road. A 48-hour parking ban notice must be given to the public via the placement of signage and social media notification.

Actions:

  • Signage will be placed on either end of each street/avenue giving a minimum 48 hours’ notice as well as notification on the Towns social media platforms. Snow will be windrowed and removed by truck. In order to be fair to residents, the Town will attempt to initiate snow removal will start in rotating areas of the Town.

Priority #4 (on request)

These are areas within the Town of Calmar which are not the property of the Town. (ex: Calmar Mobile Park, Legion, churches, businesses, etc.)

  • Snow will be dealt with at property owner’s discretion (property owners will be billed for services as per the Fee Schedule)

General

a) Resident Responsibilities are as follows: Residents are to remove rubber curb pads prior to snow removal events. These pads can cause major operational issues, and the Town will not be liable for damage to these pads. Keep sidewalks clear and shovel snow onto property, not roadways. Ensure vehicles are removed from the street during Parking Bans in your area. Ensure garbage collection bins are removed from the street during non-collection days.

b) Special requests from businesses or residents will be considered throughout the operations of the snow removal process (eg: Churches – funerals; Legions -weddings, functions)

c) Back Alleys: Back alleys will be removed once per year nearing the spring months to assist with runoff issues. Exceptions will be made if laneways become inaccessible due to drifting or an extreme snowfall event. Mainstreet (50th Avenue) back alleys may be removed more than once if they are affecting business access.

d) Collection Days: To keep the snow removal operations moving in a timely manner, work will continue on collection days. Bins can be placed out as normal and Public Works staff will move them to the sidewalk edge. Residents may place their bins on the edge of their driveway or sidewalk to assist this process.

Snow Shoveling Safety Tips

  • Dress appropriately
  • Stretch before beginning
  • Bend knees and lift with your legs
  • Take breaks and hydrate
  • If you experience any pain, stop shoveling
  • If you are unable to shovel and need help check out our Snow Angel Program

Please call Public Works at 780.619.6725 between 7am—3:30pm to pick up a pail of sand for your sidewalk.

Snow Removal for Jan 2026