Winnipeg's snow clearing policy is badly out of date.
For example, back lanes are currently given a higher priority than residential (Priority 3) streets for clearing to provide "accessibility for citizens and refuse collection" yet in newer surburbs there are no back lanes so the priority 3 street is used for this purpose. Further, back lanes are cleared after 5 cm of snow, the same level as Priority 2 (aka collector) streets. Residential streets are only addressed after 10 cm of snow. Even further still the side walks on Priority 3 streets are cleared after 8 cm of snow.
So given the right circumstances, it is possible everything, included all sidewalks, could be cleared of snow except residential streets according to the current snow clearing policy.
I have been urging by city councilor to open up a discussion with City Hall and citzens at large on how we can modernize the current snow clearing policy.
Winnipeg's Current Snow Clearing Policy