Cancellations, closures and cleanup after the winter storm

Snow falls in Kitchener-Waterloo on Jan. 3, 2024.

The winter storm has passed but the impact was still felt in southern Ontario on Thursday.

Here’s what you need to know about cancellations, closures and the efforts to clear away the snow.

Snowplows

The City of Kitchener said they had completely plowed Priority 1 and Priority 2 roads as of 3 p.m. on Thursday. Crews were already working to clear Priority 3 roads, as well continuing to maintain Priority 1 and Priority 2 roads as needed. Residents were encouraged to check the Getting Around map to see which roads had recently been serviced.

Schools

All Waterloo Region District School Board and Waterloo Catholic District School Board schools were closed on Thursday.

The University of Guelph was also closed Thursday. All campus events were cancelled. All classes and labs, both in-person and remote, were cancelled. The school said instructors would have more information on rescheduled tests and assignments when classes resume. All university buildings, labs and facilities were closed except for emergency services.

Wilfrid Laurier University said their campuses were closed. All classes and events scheduled for Thursday were cancelled. The school said campus operations would resume at 6 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 14.

Conestoga College’s campuses closed at 6 p.m. Wednesday. They were expected to reopen on Thursday.

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board cancelled all Community Use of School permits on Wednesday evening, as well as all St. Louis evening programs.

Rentals with the Waterloo Region District School Board rentals were cancelled on Wednesday evening, thought Extended Day Programs and Child Care were open. WCSSAA games were expected to continue as scheduled.

All Wellington Catholic District School Board schools and school board buildings were closed. Elementary parent-teacher interviews scheduled for Thursday evening were also cancelled.

Schools and offices for the Upper Grand District School Board in Guelph were closed. Students were asked to shift to remote learning if they could and staff were told not to work in-person. All buses and taxis were also cancelled for Upper Grand schools.

Parking

Street parking bans are in effect in Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, the Township of Wilmot and Woolwich Township.

Politics

The City of Brantford cancelled their Planning Public Meeting, Environment Sustainability Policy Advisory Committee and Strengthening Community Engagement Public Consultation meetings planned for Wednesday evening and Thursday morning.

Public Services

No express trains were running on the Kitchener GO Train Line. Metrolinx said most off-peak service operating west of Mount Pleasant would be suspended, including most trips starting and ending at Bramalea GO. There were also fewer trips to Kitchener throughout the day Thursday. Customers were encouraged to visit Metrolinx’s website to plan their trips.

All evening programs at the House of Friendship were cancelled at Kingsdale Community Centre.

The offices for Child and Family Services of Grand Erie were closed Thursday.

Mount Forest Child Care and Learning Centre and the Palmerston Child Care and Learning Centre in Wellington County were both closed.

Riders using Wellington County’s Ride Well Rural Transit Service were told they may experience delays.

City programs

All City of Waterloo-operated recreation and leisure programs at city facilities were cancelled on Thursday from 5 a.m. until 9 a.m.

All Kitchener Public Libraries opened at 1 p.m., while any programs or events scheduled for Thursday morning were cancelled. The Forest Heights location opened at 3 p.m.