The City of Sault Ste. Marie continues its response to a Significant Weather Event following heavy snowfall accumulations. According to Environment Canada, approximately 36 cm of snow fell overnight, bringing the City’s seasonal snowfall total to more than 500 cm. Snow-clearing operations continue across the community as crews work to manage the significant accumulation.
The following updates are provided regarding municipal services and operations for the afternoon of March 16, 2026:
- Road Clearing Efforts: Public Works staff continue to prioritize clearing main roads followed by residential streets. Due to the volume of snowfall and blowing conditions, some residential streets have not yet been serviced. Anyone travelling on City streets should proceed with caution. Crews will continue to clear residential areas and designated sidewalks throughout the day. Residents are reminded not to block sidewalks and to avoid parking on roadways during winter events, as this can significantly delay clearing efforts.
- Travel Advisory: Please avoid non-essential travel on City streets. Limiting traffic allows snowplow operators to clear routes more efficiently. Drivers who must travel should adjust their driving to road conditions and maintain a safe distance from heavy equipment.
- Transit: Sault Transit and Parabus services remain cancelled for the remainder of the day. Pending weather and road conditions, transit operations are expected to resume tomorrow at 6:15 a.m.
- Garbage and Recycling: Garbage and recycling collection scheduled for today has been postponed until next Monday. Residents affected by the delay may place additional bags at the curb for collection next week. Please remove bins from the roadway. Weather permitting, regular garbage and recycling service is expected to resume on Tuesday morning. Please do not bring carts to the curb this evening, as they will interfere with snowplowing operations.
The City’s landfill site remains closed for the day.
Facility Updates:
- Community Centres: All City-operated community centres and facilities are closed, and all programming is cancelled for the remainder of the day. This includes the Northern Community Centre (arena, turf and community space), the John Rhodes Community Centre (arena and pool), GFL Memorial Gardens (arena, administrative offices and box office), the Bay Street Active Living Centre 55+, the Downtown Plaza and outdoor rink, and the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site. Weather permitting, facilities will open and all programming is expected to resume tomorrow.
- Ronald A. Irwin Civic Centre: Will be closed for the remainder of the day. Weather permitting, the Civic Centre is expected to open at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Continued caution is recommended given the ongoing snowfall and forecast for additional accumulation. For the latest updates, please follow the City on social media.