Montreal's new snow-removal plan to be put to the test

Montreal's blue collar workers have exactly 12 hours starting Wednesday morning to begin snow removal operations after the city's first winter storm.

It is the first test of thecity's new centralizedsnow-removal policy, which Mayor DenisCoderreunveiled in August.

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"People are happy to finally see snowbut they'll be equally happy that we're removing it," saidAnieSamson, thevice-president of the city's executive committee.

The snowstorm that continues to slamQuebec and Ontariois expected to bring a total of 15 to 40 centimetres of snow to Montreal by Tuesday's end.

Samson announced thatboroughs will startclearingstreets at 7 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Under the new policy, theyhave a 12-hour grace periodto beginsnow removal operations or they will face a fine.

It is the first time since 2001 that the citywill run snow removal operations instead of the individual boroughs.

Residents can check theInfo-Neige mobile application for real-timeinformation and updates on snow removal in their neighbourhoods.

There will be no snow removal operations during the holidaysfrom the evening of Dec. 31 until Jan. 2.