The winter storm that hit Greater Sudbury late last winter cost the city just more than $7.8 million, mostly in costs related to overtime and paying contractors. Those costs are on top of an estimated $2.3 million overexpenditure that was already expected in the winter removal budget, says a report headed to city council July 14. “The city had already experienced a difficult winter season, with significantly more snow than previous years prior to this major storm,” the report said. “In 2025, winter control incurred a year-end deficit that required a draw of $3.2 million from the winter control reserve. For 2026, winter control expenditures prior to the significant snow event were already trending toward an overspend of approximately $2.3 million.” With the added cost of the March 15 winter storm, that leaves an estimated $9.2 million deficit in the winter control budget. A total of 42.8 cm of snow fell from March 15-16. A reserve set aside to fund shortfalls sits at $6 million, meaning $3.3 million would have to be found in savings from other departments or from another reserve fund, this one set aside to reduce the impact of property tax increases. Also part of the July 14 meeting are the results of a survey of residents on how the city fared in its response to the storm. Residents were asked a series of questions, with the city receiving 1,686 responses between May 18 and June 16 – an unusually high level of response. The city received extremely low marks for the way it communicated information during the storm and the days following. “A total of 8.2 per cent of respondents felt communications were effective, and 17.4 per cent, or 293 respondents, reported that they did not receive any city updates during the event,” the report said. In particular, residents said they wanted better communication about what areas were being cleared of snow; when their neighbourhood would see city crews; when garbage collection would resume; and, where residents could find reliable updates. People were also unhappy about the way information about when sidewalks and transit stops would be cleared. “Some respondents also suggested that snowbank removal earlier in the winter season may help create additional capacity before major storms,” the report said. “These comments point to an opportunity to further demonstrate how the city prepares for, responds to and recovers from major weather events.” The survey found that the most popular source of information and updates on the storm was local media, followed by other social media sites and word of mouth. The biggest source of information residents wanted – but struggled to find – was when roads would be cleared and what the city’s snow clearing priorities were. Read the full report on the resident survey here.
