Letters: Saskatoon’s snow plan leaves safety issues in wake

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City council should expect snowfall between October and March every year and hearing the recycled “we are over budget for this calendar year” message two months into every new budget year is getting old.

It is well past time to adjust our snow budget to allocate money where we actually need it as comparable cities do.

Pushing snow to the curb and/or piling it on the medians of major, minor and residential streets without the intent to remove it is not an acceptable response in November; it won’t magically melt away soon.

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Some lanes on stretches of many of these roadways have been temporarily merged or eliminated entirely because the median and/or sidewalk overflows with the current banks and piles.

Visibility at many intersections is reduced, which is a significant safety concern for everyone who walks, jogs, bikes, drives or relies on public transit. Residents with private parking lots do not have available temporary street parking while their lots are being cleared.

Twelve hours after any snow event, buses and other ride services should not be forced to stop in the middle of the street to load/offload passengers — another safety concern for riders as well as following vehicles.

If the weather warmed for a few days, the melted snow would turn to icy patches as the curb drains are still covered by packed snow anyway. Use City of Saskatoon equipment and employees or contract it out. Get something done please. If we get any more snow, what will be the answer?

Tracy Hildebrand, Saskatoon

Editor’s note: Saskatoon city council voted to increase the budget for snow in the 2025 budget.

Lotteries should limit their prize amounts

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Lotteries should limit the maximum amount of money that a person can win to $2 million and divide lottery jackpots exceeding $2 million among multiple winners.

Two individuals recently won $40 million each from Lotto Max. Nobody needs $40 million. Wouldn’t it be better for 40 people to each win $2 million, for 80 people to each get $1 million, or for 800 people to each win $100,000?

This would give people a significantly better chance of winning and enhance the lives of many more people and their families. However, the probability of winning is so low that it doesn’t make financial sense to purchase lottery tickets. Therefore, lotteries shouldn’t be advertised.

Lotteries in Saskatchewan are operated by a non-profit organization designated by the Government of Saskatchewan. The profits from lotteries should go toward fighting homelessness and improving healthcare.

Ashu Solo, Saskatoon

Online searches suggest U.S. not desirable

One of those country-to-country comparisons popped up on my browser today. Based on the number of online searches people make, it attempts to determine which 10 countries are most favourable if you are contemplating living elsewhere in the world.

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Switzerland was first on the list, but with the least number of searches. Britain was in the middle and Canada 10th out of 10 with the highest number of searches. The United States of America was not on the list.

Syl White, Saskatoon

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