Metro Vancouver mayor blasts B.C.'s snow response as 'failure,' demands action
The mayor of Delta, B.C. is adding his voice to the chorus of criticism about Metro Vancouver's snow response after drivers were stranded for hours on the region's roads, bridges and highways.
The bulk of the 10 – 15 centimetres of snow that fell last Tuesday came during the afternoon rush hour. Crashes, closures and chaos ensued.
In a letter to Transportation Minister Rob Fleming, George Harvie describes what happened as a "failure," laying the blame on the province.
"It is vital that the snow response plan for provincial highways and crossings of the Fraser River is sufficient and that the necessary resources are in place to prevent traffic gridlock and the failure of our provincial transportation system," the letter says.
"With increasing unpredictable weather patterns, B.C.'s provincial transportation network must have the necessary preparations in place with adequate resources for winter maintenance," Harvie wrote.
Delta’s mayor has two demands. First, he is calling for a review of B.C.'s contract with Mainroad Group, which is contracted to maintain the Lower Mainland's highways.
Second, he is asking the province to review the use of its emergency alert system, including the possibility of expanding it to include instances when major highways or bridges are closed. The system can currently be used to send a mobile alert to British Columbians about extreme weather events, a change that was ushered in after the deadly heat dome and devastating floods.
"Many Delta residents were stuck in gridlock on our provincial transportation network for upwards of nine or 10 hours. It is very concerning that, while the transportation network was failing, commuters were still continuing to try to enter the transportation system," Harvie writes.
"Effective use of this resource would deter people from entering the provincial transportation system and adding more traffic volume to an already failing system."
The letter comes as more snow is in the forecast for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
PROVINCE RESPONDS
The Ministry of Transportation, in an email to CTV News, said it is currently working with the maintenance contractor to review the response "to determine if there are additional measures that can be taken in anticipation of future weather events."
Further, the ministry says it "expects" that municipalities in the region are doing the same and looking at "ways to improve."
Last Tuesday, according to the statement, all available resources were deployed both prior to and during the snowfall but the efforts to clear the roads were frustrated after semis, buses and other large vehicles spun out, stalled, and blocked roadways.
The Ministry of Emergency Preparedness, in an email, said weather-related alerts are reserved for situations in which there is "an immediate threat to life" but also that if and when a community that believes an alert is necessary can contact the province to request one.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.