Montreal travellers stranded by winter blast

Travellers in Montreal trying to escape the city's bleak winter weather are stuck in the airport, after a massive weekend storm cancelled hundreds of flights.

A group of high school students heading to Paris missed a full day of their trip because of delays.

"I feel bad for the students because they worked hard for two years to pay for this trip," said their teacher, Lucille Vachon, as they waited in Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport.

"This is their trip. They did the fundraising and they had jobs."

Robert Kartes, another stranded traveller, said he had his hands full trying to stave off boredom for his group.

"With five children between two families, looks like we're going to try some games and maybe a scavenger hunt," he said.

Outside of the airport, the city's snow removal crews are still trying to dig their way out of the snowy deluge.

Yves Girard, Montreal's snow removal director, told Canada AM on Monday poorly parked cars are hampering crews's efforts.

"They park at angles, so that makes difficulties for the equipment to pass on streets," Girard said. "We are asking the population to restrict the parking restrictions for the operations."

About 3,000 employees and 2,200 pieces of equipment are involved in the snow removal effort in Montreal, he said.

The city has 38 snow removal sites, but this year's long, snowy winter has left those filled, he said. Five new ones have been opened.

"For my career of 30 years in Montreal, I haven't seen so much snow," Girard said.

Environment Canada said all of Quebec received between 25 to 35 centimetres of snow, but high winds in some areas created huge drifts.

City officials in Ottawa suggested it could take until the end of the week to complete snow removal operations after an estimated 51 centimetres fell there.

Richard Hewitt, Ottawa's deputy city mayor manager, said the operation could cost millions of dollars.

"We've received one heck of a lot of snow this year and a lot of it has been quite recent -- certainly since January 1," he said. "In that vein, we expect that we're going to be well over our budget expectations."

Toronto got snowfalls of between 15 and 30 centimetres, with up to 40 cm in some outlying suburbs.

The city said most street clearing was wrapped up by Sunday night, with snow removal starting on Monday. However, bad parking held up streetcars on some inner city streets.

Cars that were parked too close to the city's streetcar tracks are being towed away at the expense of the driver.

Officials estimate the bill for digging out from this storm will top $5 million, CTV Toronto reported.

Toronto officials say the city has spent $45 million of its $67 million budgeted for snow removal this budget year, which ends in December, and may add another $12 million to the budget.

Girard suspects that Montreal has consumed more than the 60 per cent of its $127-million snow removal budget that it usually spends by this time.

Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City are all about one powerful snowstorm away from setting new records for most snowfall in a winter.

Ottawa has about 411 centimetres so far, with a record of 444 set in 1970-1971. Toronto has about 190 centimetres of snow so far, with the record of 207 cm set in 1938-39.

Snow-related death

People in Campbellton, N.B. are mourning a young boy's snow-related death.

RCMP say the eight-year-old died Saturday when a snow tunnel in which he was playing collapsed, apparently suffocating him.

CTV Atlantic's Kellen Sundahl said Monday that relatives performed CPR on the boy, who wasn't breathing.

The boy was taken to a local hospital by ambulance, but doctors pronounced him dead, she said.

An autopsy was expected to be performed Monday.

Northern New Brunswick, where Campbellton is located, got about 50 centimetres of snow over the weekend as part of the storm.

In the Saint John area of southern New Brunswick, nearly 80 millimetres of rain caused some weekend street and basement flooding, but officials there say things are essentially back to normal.

Freezing rain on the weekend had people in Fredericton chipping instead of pumping or shovelling.

With reports from CTV Toronto's Naomi Parness, CTV Montreal's Derek Conlon and Maya Johnson, and CTV Atlantic's Kellen Sundahl

Comments are now closed for this story

Kelowna
said

My heart goes put to the family who has lost their son.

Joseph Rooney
said

I really don't understand the readiness to sneer at Toronto, because their mayor asked for Army help after an extremely heavy snowfall. He was just doing his job in doing his best for the residents.

I lived in Toronto at the time. I saw nothing unusual about it, but ever since then morons in various parts of the country seem to take this as some sign of moral weakness. Or lack of "manlihess". Good lord!

Grow up,
and admit you are just envious of the east, or the west, or wherever.

But it is known as administration, something the various Alberta politicians could use lessons in.

When did you ever hear of a politician blowing up a hospital, or slashing medical school intakes to "save money"

That is Alberta style administration.

And by the way, when I lived in Vancouver around 1965, they also had a heavy wet snowfall, which overwhelmed the city snow clearing efforts, (Such as they were!)

What did they do? They called in the army from Chilliwack.

That was some 20 yeras before Toronto was faced with the same problem. But their then mayor was up to the task too.

So, no fussing about what Alberta, or any other fool might think' He did his job, and protected his citizens, just as the former mayor of Toronto did!

So keep sneering, but I will always respect mayors, or other politicians who take the job seriously, and get things done, and look after their constituents!

Joe,Calgary.

Lynn
said

I usually like reading comments but sheesh, what is wrong with you people! Gloating about warm weather and all that, fighting about climate change...

By the way Alberta #1, give me a call when your province has a draught this summer and the farmers once again can't make ends meet? Did you know that your warm weather will lead to catastrophe for them?
They need plenty of snow to melt to keep the fields in top shape.

I for one, am not complaining about all this snow. It's great! So many outdoor activities, it's just beautiful outside. Of course the clean up is slow, which so much snow, it's to be expected.

The storm brought out the best in people this weekend. Everyone outside, shoveling their driveways, dusting off their cars, offering help. One plow operator even stopped to help clear my friend's driveway!

Ang
said

To Snowed In in Ontario, It is a shame that this child lost his life and I'm sure his family will be mourning his loss for a long, long time. However, children and parents should be warned as to the dangers of snow tunnels and forts. By the very nature and construction, these are structurally unsound and can colapse instantly without warning. I don't think making snide remarks about passing laws for having fun is a very mature or educated response to this tragedy. To the family who lost this little boy, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Dean
said

I had to cut my lawn out here in the Fraser Valley this weekend. Oh ya, the daffodils look really nice too! Imagine that, snow at the centre of the earth. Ha Ha

Gis
said

Interesting as I read Montreal had used up roughly $100 million of $120 million by New Years.

Vahan
said

I am ashamed to be living in Montreal. We were the best at dealing with snow. We have a history of taking poundings and come out the other side without a scratch. Now we have a MegaCity, put together by the biggest idiot/opportunist known to mankind, and it is run by a complete moron who could only make excuses of why things are not running properly. Get this, our mayor was once blaming drivers on Montreal streets for the inability of the crew to clean up, he tells us to use public transport, yet does not put more buses on the road. My usual 10 minute bus ride came out to a 40 minute wait and a 20 minute ride. We have an infinite loop of stupid in this city. We are told not to use our cars, yet the parked cars are blocking the cleaning crews, we are asked to take public transport, yet no buses show up.First class city with third world paternalistic dictators.

Kevin in sunny southern AB
said

Why don't you declare a state of emergency and call in the army like that other time?

Ki-Som
said

I said it once and I'll say it a million times, living in Victoria is the BEST!!!

Captain Calgary
said

Ha! Ha! Ha! It's sunny and +14 here in Calgary, the best place to live in Canada! Toooo Funny!

Andy
said

To Alberta#1

When will the rest of the world see the light. Man does not affect the climate. Yes there is climate change, it's been going on from the beginning of time and we have to learn to adapt to it as we cannot do anything about it. Wildlife has done this for millions of years. We are ants on an ant hill people. We just think we are more intelligent since we developped the ability to make weapons and kill each other over whose God is better.

Chips
said

Everybody should get two meters of snow, and it should last from Oct. till Mar.
Maybe next year
Shovels ahoy matey

Jim
said

These 'Global Warming Deniers' love to use these message boards to attack David Suzuki.

Too bad they can't understand SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE - or maybe they are just PROFITING from earth's demise....

Kristoffer www.klmweather.com
said

One more snowstorm so we can break the record. Don't you want to say to your children and grandchildren that you survived the great winter of 2007-2008?

Monitor live weather conditions in Toronto plus my weather blog at:

www.klmweather.com

Jan
said

The west is best!

Doug
said

I'm with "alberta #1" even if it does rub "elizabeth" the wrong way.I was out in my shorts and T-shirt, in the burbs of Vacouver.I guess next week I tune up the lawnmower so I can be ready for some serious tourism this summer.
As to "elizabeth",I suggest taking a pill or something.Those kind of comments and outright condemnations are totally out of line,and a real impediment to any real environmental improvements.We will likely have to wait until all the Kyoto nut cases die off before we can get on with job of cleaning up.What a shame that is.
And,to those who are snowbound,don't be to jealous of Vancouver.We have rain today.We can start getting "rusty" right away.Just relax and enjoy whatever comes along.It's a beautiful country from sea to sea to sea.

Mike in Ottawa
said

Phil in Ottawa:

You're bang on with your comments. David Suzuki "A ZOOLOGIST" is not a climatologist nor does he know his axe from his shovel. Al Gore Inc his buddy travels the globe getting rich by instilling fear into people who are too lazy to do their homework. Yes, there is climate change but is isn't due to man it's a natural cyclical change. Pollution, now that's a totally other issue which is slowly being addressed.

Worried Albertan
said

I wish we could share some of that snow. It is already so dry and brown in Alberta. I am worried what this summer will be like.
Snow may be a pain, but at least Montreal will have a green spring!

Ron
said

Elizabeth, I agree with you that these extreme weather patterns are related to climate change (Alberta #1 is in denial). Although not originally from Alberta, I now live in Calgary and most of the people here agree with the climate change thesis. Please don't paint all people in Alberta with the same brush. I think that even the Alberta premier believes in the supporting science. The rhetoric that you hear against climate change is political posturing as they try to make changes without spooking the oil industry investors. Policy changes will come.

Krista
said

I find it very sad that the only thing people are taking from this story is the snow and weather. Has everyone forgotten that a young boy lost his life trying to have fun and play in the snow??? My deepest sympathies go out to the young boy's family.

Bob in Harley
said

Love it...I'm a Canadian living in Canada and loving the snow. Thank God we have four seasons unlike some places. Let us continue to have real winters and real summers, falls and springs.

Brian in Barrie
said

To Alberta #1....
+11 in Edmonton in March? And you don't see a problem with that? I have no problem with all the snow, it is like it was back in the 70's. But to say there is no climate change (global warming is so 90's) is to be ignorant of the waorld around you. You sure you're not American?

Phil in Ottawa
said

Dear Really snowbound in QC:

Really? Who are you calling climate change freaks?" Those who base their understanding of the Earth's climate on science or those who do so on the basis of political agendas?

The fact that the media in general, and AGW proponents in particular refuse to even countenance the existence of a body of science that refutes the whole argument of AGW is, in itself, cause for concern.

Evan in Athabasca
said

We do not have enough documented history to classify this as global warming. This is the natural history of the globe. Where is the snow building and Glaciers growing? In south American and Antarctica my friends......DO some research and watch some more science channels to watch the evolution of the planet over the Billions of years, not hundreds....

Judy
said

My heart goes out to the family of the little boy who died.

bunny
said

I think this weather has more and more to do with the cycles of the sun.This is being proven over and over again.
In 1939, was there climate change or global warming? that is when the last record snowfall fell in the East. Sometimes winter is just winter

Yves
said

Forgot something IMPORTANT in this article. A kid died in that snow and you keep blabbing about Hot and Cold. Let's have a taught for the familly and friend who lost that kid. THIS is the important point in this article. To the familly "I am sorry for your lost.

Sarah
said

This story is about the loss a family is suffering as their eight year old boy has just died. The details about the snow are secondary to the story. This strory isn't about climate change and wasn't written to provide a forum in which to complain/comment on the weather.

My heart goes out to the family. I can't even imagine the grief that they are dealing with.

Maeve
said

Some people need to realize the efforts snow-removal crews make during the winter; long shifts, tedious jobs and gruelling weather. Remember to thank them and not complain; it's winter folks, we live in Canada.. what do you expect??

Snowed In in Ontario
said

Its sad to see a young man lose his life while just trying to have fun.

Next thing we know they will be making a law to outlaw making snow tunnels.

Sympathies to the family.

elizabeth
said

hey Alberta #1 - you are using the wrong term - it isn't global warming - it is climate change. If you have been following the debate you would see it is about extreme weather patterns - that's what the world is experiencing. Extreme flooding in Asia, we had to boil our water in Vancouver last year for a month! Alberta is the only province who believe climate change is a hoax. Maybe get electricity so you can watch tv and catch up with the rest of the world. 450 US mayors have signed on to Kyoto and many of the provinces have set target goals.

Linda
said

Hey Phil,
If you want some snow, I'll sell you my snowbank - Ice and all - all you need to do is remove it

Kevin
said

To Alberta 1:
Suzuki was ranting about a new ice age coming when it was the hot thing back in the '70s. Perhaps he will have to dust off those notes.

Really snowbound in QC
said

This is climate change in action.
The naysayers who see this winter as vindication for their skeptical view of climate change don't realize that extreme weather in areas is climate change.
Last season, no snow until mid-January, this season non-stop snow.
If people remember that climate is global and weather is local, they might realize that as much precipitation falls in Eastern Canada as little precip falls in Australia.
Next winter the climate change freaks might be able to play golf with Dave Suzuki on New Year's Eve in the Ottawa Valley.
The whole climate thing has become a crapshoot.

Kevin
said

With 411cm to date we are very lucky in Ottawa that all of the December snow melted in January.

SW ON-ite in balmy Baltimore
said

Wow that's a heck of a lot of snow. The daffodils are comming up nicely here in Baltimore. I hope some of the snow is still there for easter. I know it will be fun *cough* driving in it.

Shamaro
said

Regardless of how much we are tired of shovelling so much snow, it is still a beautiful to see how pure everything looks the day after the storm, when the sun is shining and you're outside.

National Capital Region
said

To the man upstairs:

Is that all you got? Bring on some more!!!

We want the record.

alberta #1
said

It was great to watch the storms in the east on my tv and then go relax on my deck at a sunny +11 degrees here in Edmonton.

I wonder if David Suzuki even owns a shovel... he sure needs one now! So ironic with his delirious global warming rants.
LOL.

Marion Alexander
said

I do appreciate the hard work of clearing streets and sidewalks after the massive snowstorm this past weekend in Ottawa. However, I do not appreciate having to walk on a busy street to get to a bus stop to get to work. Nor, will I appreciate, not having a bus stop to get off at tonight and walking down to the street again to get home.

Nick T
said

We've come this far, let's go for the gold baby! Make it a memorable one!

Sunny
said

Records are meant to be set and broken. I guess the big melt starts Wednesday until the next storm. Don't worry Spring is just days away. Simply drive slower for the conditions and don't be sleep deprived. ZZZ

Phil
said

It makes me wish I was at home skiing rather than melting down here in Brazil...well, maybe not!

I hope there's still some left when I get back!

Mike
said

I went to Montreal for Christmas and New Years and they were having trouble dealing with the snow then. It sucks to be them I guess. Kind of makes me glad I live in Nova Scotia. I didn't even realize we were having bad weather.