Educator Judith is 75 years old and has arthritis and neuropathy in her legs, resulting in poor balance. Her neighbour is about 40 years old; he appears strong and is frequently seen making house repairs.
The two of them share a narrow walkway. And every time there’s a big dump of snow, the same thing happens. Judith will shovel the entire walkway, while her neighbour will shovel exactly half — his half. Judith says it makes her feel “annoyed, but more head-shaking at today’s younger people.”
Judith remembers when the neighbour’s father was still alive; he would get up early to shovel and would always do the full walkway, along with Judith’s stairs, even though she was younger and in heartier shape at the time.
In Toronto, the law requires you to clear the sidewalks adjacent to the property within 12 hours of the end of the snowfall. (If it snows more than two centimetres, city crews are responsible for clearing all public sidewalks.) But what are the ethics and etiquette of snow shovelling, beyond the law?
The issue has been fraught, given this winter’s massive snow dumps and the city’s struggles in clearing it in a timely manner, with more bad weather in the forecast this weekend as Environment Canada warns of a possible ice storm for Toronto and the GTA.
“Snow-shovelling etiquette might seem like a small thing, but it’s really about respect for your neighbours, your community and the shared space around you,” said Susy Fossati, founder and CEO of Avignon Etiquette. “While many do adhere to the etiquette, there are certainly some who may let their shovelling responsibilities slide, especially after a heavy snowfall or when the task feels too daunting.”
Rapper, DJ, and producer More Or Les has been mired in a snow-shovelling battle with his neighbour for years. The neighbour only shovels the sidewalk in front of their half of the semi-detached house and exactly half of the shared walkway. The neighbour is retired and an early riser, making it difficult for More Or Les to get out there before them and clear the whole thing.
He considers it common courtesy to shovel the entire walkway. “The weather doesn’t discriminate: shovelling only half of the walkway means there’s still snow and ice blowing, falling and melting on the neighbour’s side, so shovelling half is an act with diminishing returns,” he said.
Etiquette-wise, “if you share a space with a neighbour and get to it first, just be nice and take care of it. It’s great to pass on good vibes!”
Fossati agreed. “If you’re able, it’s lovely to help out elderly neighbors or anyone who might be struggling with the task,” she said. “If you’re in a townhouse or a shared space, it’s often about teamwork, working with your neighbours to ensure the whole block stays clear.”
This kind of courtesy is key, according to Judith, especially when helping folks who use wheelchairs, walkers or strollers get around safely.
Judith is from Montreal, where she says snow shovelling is much better. She was visiting a friend recently during a big snow dump and started shovelling the front steps one morning when a neighbour exiting his house offered to do it for her.
This winter marked the first time retiree Adelheid Toogood and her partner, Mario Botto, were unable to shovel themselves. Her community stepped up to help. “From the teenager next door to neighbours along the street to friends, the snow was removed this whole winter,” Toogood said. This top-notch etiquette isn’t present just in the winter; folks help out the couple year-round, whether it’s meal drop-offs, shopping assistance or mail pickup.
These little acts of etiquette can really help bring people together, according to Fossati. “It’s always nice to remember that small gestures, like a friendly ‘good morning’ or a wave while shovelling, go a long way in building a positive community,” she said. “Snow shovelling may not be glamorous, but it’s a small, everyday way we can show we care for one another, especially in a bustling city like Toronto.”
