We, the citizens of Ottawa, confront an issue every winter which brings not just inconvenience, but unnecessary strain and stress. After spending countless hours shoveling or using snowblowers to clear our driveways, we often return or wake up to find a significant amount of snow dumped by the city snow plows. This creates a barrier which not only blocks our driveways but also puts individuals at risk, especially those with back pain or heart conditions, as more strenuous effort is required to remove this snow.

Many of us do not have a private snowplow service, and for some, it’s not an option. Furthermore, some individuals park on their driveways and prefer not to move their cars for snow removal services to do a proper job, either due to inconvenience or inability. These factors only worsen the situation, leaving residents to handle the snow themselves.

The problem is further aggravated when our hard work is undone by city snow plows. Given the already harsh winters in Ottawa, a solution to alleviate this issue is needed.

A simple, proven solution exists: driveway deflectors (or snow gates). These deflectors can be attached to the city’s snowplows to prevent excess snow from being dumped onto driveways. This tool is already in use in many other cities; it has alleviated a lot of problems for the elderly and has been shown to reduce unnecessary stress and make winter maintenance easier for the residents in those communities.

Not only would this small change demonstrate our city’s commitment to the well-being and safety of its residents, but it would also promote greater community care. By reducing the physical strain on individuals, especially those with health conditions, the deflectors would improve the quality of life for countless people.

Moreover, this efficient service would create less work for residents, improve morale, reduce delays, frustrations, and potential injuries, ultimately benefiting everyone. The solution is cost-effective, easy to implement, and would significantly improve winter conditions for Ottawa residents.

We urge you, the city officials of Ottawa, to take our plea into account and implement the use of driveway deflectors on city snow plows. Together, we can make Ottawa winters less stressful, safer, and more enjoyable for everyone.

Sign this petition to show your support, and please share it with your neighbors and friends. Every signature counts.