Halifax auditor general says ‘no way to know’ if winter crews are doing good job

Halifax’s Auditor General Raises Concerns About Winter Operations Management

Halifax’s auditor general, Andrew Atherton, recently released a report highlighting concerns about the city’s management of winter operations. The report, which examined the winter seasons of 2022-23 and 2023-24, revealed a lack of proper oversight and accountability in the city’s approach to handling winter weather.

According to the report, Halifax spends approximately $30 million annually on private contractors to clear snow and ice in the region, in addition to municipal crews that handle the downtown cores of Halifax and Dartmouth. Despite this significant expenditure, the audit found that public works staff were unable to provide a clear breakdown of the costs associated with in-house winter operations crews.

Atherton expressed frustration at the lack of transparency in tracking internal spending, citing the need for council and staff to have a clear understanding of how funds are allocated between in-house teams and contractors. Without this information, it becomes challenging to assess the effectiveness of different approaches and make informed decisions about resource allocation.

The audit also highlighted shortcomings in monitoring service standards for winter operations. While the municipality has established guidelines for clearing roads and sidewalks within specific timeframes, there was no evidence to suggest that crews were meeting these standards. Supervisors were found to provide vague reports after each weather event, lacking detailed information on crew performance and adherence to service expectations.

One concerning finding was the lack of tracking for property damage reported by residents following winter operations. Despite receiving complaints through the 311 system, Halifax does not systematically record or follow up on repairs, leaving residents frustrated and uncertain about the outcome of their concerns.

In response to the audit findings, Halifax staff have committed to implementing all 13 recommendations put forth by the auditor general. Councillors expressed hope that this report would spur positive change and lead to improved accountability and efficiency in winter operations management.

Moving forward, the audit and finance committee has requested a plan to address the recommendations within three months, signaling a commitment to addressing the issues raised and enhancing the city’s approach to winter operations. By taking proactive steps to implement changes based on the audit findings, Halifax aims to ensure better outcomes for residents and a more effective use of taxpayer dollars in managing winter weather challenges.