This story was first published in March 2025 and has been updated in time for the deep freeze of winter 2026.
Toronto educator Judith is 75 years old and has arthritis and neuropathy in her legs, affecting her balance. She shares a narrow walkway with her neighbour, who is about 40; he appears strong and is frequently seen making house repairs.
Every time there’s a big dump of snow, she said, the same thing happens: Judith will shovel the entire walkway, while her neighbour will shovel exactly half — his half. She remembers that when the neighbour’s late father was still alive, he would get up early to shovel and always do the full walkway, along with Judith’s stairs, even though she was younger and in heartier shape at the time. She said the shift makes her feel “annoyed, but more head-shaking at today’s younger people.”
In a winter of record-breaking snowfall, the humble snow shovel has become a flashpoint for debate on civic duty. While Toronto bylaws dictate that residents must clear sidewalks adjacent to their property within 12 hours of a snowfall’s end — if it snows more than two centimetres, city crews are responsible for clearing all public sidewalks — the law remains silent on the neighbourly ethics of shared spaces. This divide between legal obligation and common courtesy can turn shared walkways into psychological battlegrounds, exposing a generational shift in community care.
The etiquette of shovelling
“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.”
One snowy morning, when Fossati’s son was out shovelling her own driveway, their neighbour was using a snowblower just a few steps away but made no acknowledgment. “It wasn’t even a simple greeting, let alone a gesture of offering a bit of help with the snowblower,” Fossati said. “As a young, healthy, and otherwise friendly person, it was a little surprising.”
A source of neighbourly tension
Rapper, DJ, and producer More Or Les has been mired in a snow-shovelling battle with his neighbour for years. He said his 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 to get out there before them and clear the whole thing.
More Or Les 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.
“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!”
An opportunity to help those with mobility issues
“If you’re able, it’s lovely to help out elderly neighbours or anyone who might be struggling with the task,” Fossati 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.”
Judith said this kind of courtesy is key, because it helps folks who use wheelchairs, walkers or strollers get around safely. Every winter, she said, “there’s one nasty patch at a certain place on the next block” that can’t be avoided by people who have difficulty jumping over high snow drifts.
Judith is from Montreal, where she says snow shovelling etiquette, in general, is much better. She was visiting a friend 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. Another time, a young woman walking to work stopped and said, “I think I can do that faster and more safely – please give me the shovel.”
In Toronto, Judith has seen several posts in her local Facebook group from people offering to shovel sections that folks couldn’t manage themselves. “And they cheerfully came out and did just that,” Judith said. “Absolutely stellar.” She went outside to cheer them on and offer coffee and tea.
A chance for communities to come together
The winter of 2025 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 the whole winter,” Toogood said.
This top-notch support isn’t reserved for the winter; folks help out the couple year-round, whether it’s meal drop-offs, shopping assistance or mail pickup. “It is very reassuring to know that there is a caring community of friends and neighbours around,” Toogood said. She was especially touched by occasional “loving” notes. “Don’t worry about a thing,” they read. “We will take care of all the snow issues.”
These little acts can really help people connect, according to Fossati. “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.”
