While high-riding trucks and SUVs proved no match for a relentless December, Edmonton's snow-clearing crews worked tirelessly through the holiday season. The month delivered a staggering four times the average snowfall, overwhelming private shovels and snowblowers and testing the city's response.
A Season of Entitlement?
Amid the deep drifts, a chorus of resident complaints emerged, criticizing the pace of snow removal. In a letter to the editor, Edmonton's Nicholas Menon argues this blame is misplaced. He points out that city crews diligently followed their public plan, working through Christmas to clear priority routes.
"'Tis the season to be self-centred?" Menon writes. "Entitlement is a heavy trait to carry into the new year." He contends the crews labouring overnight deserve public thanks, not vitriol, suggesting citizens would be happier playing in the snow than demanding spotless pavement.
Controversy Over Teacher Strike and Parking Enforcement
The same letters section featured strong opinions on other local issues. Dick Tompkins of Fort Saskatchewan lambasted the Alberta government's rationale for ending a teachers' strike. He called "utter drivel" the claims by the Education Minister and Premier that forcing teachers back to work was to save students from harm.
Tompkins argued that if student outcomes were truly the priority, the government would work to improve an "understaffed and seriously underfunded" system. He cited Alberta's high per-family income and low tax burden juxtaposed with the lowest provincial education funding.
Another letter criticized Edmonton's enforcement of parking bans during the snow crisis. The author called the city's ticketing efforts "pathetic," noting that during 10 days of Phase 1 parking bans in December, only 245 vehicles were ticketed at $250 each, generating $61,250. They claimed a visual survey of ban routes showed many plowed-in vehicles without tickets, suggesting lax enforcement despite 24/7 work by clearing crews.
The Bigger Picture of Winter Resilience
The core argument in Menon's letter extends beyond snow. It's a call for community perspective and gratitude for essential municipal services during extreme weather. The record December of 2025 highlighted the strain on infrastructure and personnel, prompting a debate about public expectation versus operational reality in a Canadian winter.
As Edmonton navigates the season, the discussion continues on how to balance efficient city services with resident responsibility, and how to acknowledge the workers who keep the city moving during formidable conditions.
