Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack says calcium chloride, despite being an effective snow-clearing tool, is not an option for city roads this winter. “It’s worth acknowledging that when it was tested, it did actually make our streets safer. There was clear data that showed that,” he told CTV News Edmonton on Monday. “But we’ve also heard overwhelmingly from Edmontonians time and time again that they don’t want this.” Calcium chloride, a chemical de-icer used by many municipalities, was removed from Edmonton snow fleet rotation in 2020 after complaints of damage to vehicle undercarriages, city infrastructure and waterways. Its reintroduction has come up several times since the pandemic days, including most recently in this year’s city snow and ice removal proposal. City council is discussing the $24-million “Well-Maintained City” package first proposed on Monday. That money would hire more staff for faster snow clearing, more enforcement and dedicated winter event support. Calcium chloride was also included in the plan. “I think the main takeaway in the service package is that you’re going to see improvements in every aspect of what we’re doing … There’s a list of things that I would want to bring back,” Knack added. Accessibility and monthly residential blading – which is typically only done once a year, he says – are top priorities for him. But keeping the already $60-million snow and ice removal budget as modest as possible is another challenge council faces. The city saw criticism last winter for its removal of snow, ice and residential windrows as it contended with unprecedented heavy snowfall for much of December and January. Council will continue to discuss the snow and ice removal plan on Sept. 8. With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Jeremy Thompson
