A Canadian Snow Removal Service Contract is a seasonal agreement between a property owner or manager and a snow and ice management contractor for the clearing of driveways, walkways, parking lots, sidewalks, and other surfaces during the winter months. Snow removal is a distinctly Canadian service need — with average annual snowfall ranging from 100 cm in southern Ontario to over 300 cm in parts of Quebec and Atlantic Canada, professional snow management is essential for property safety, accessibility, and municipal bylaw compliance.

The contract must address the property owner's legal obligations under the provincial Occupiers' Liability Act, which imposes a duty of care to maintain safe conditions for persons entering the property. When a property owner hires a snow removal contractor, the Occupiers' Liability Act allows the transfer of liability to the contractor — but only if the owner exercised reasonable care in selecting and supervising the contractor, and the contract contains reasonable service standards. In Ontario, Bill 118 (Occupiers' Liability Amendment Act, 2020) added a requirement that any person seeking damages for a snow or ice injury must serve written notice within 60 days.

Snow removal contractors face significant liability exposure. Slip-and-fall claims are among the most common personal injury actions in Canada, and courts regularly find contractors liable for injuries caused by inadequate clearing. Commercial general liability insurance of $2 million to $5 million is standard in the industry, with many institutional clients requiring $10 million or more.

A Canadian Snow Removal Service Contract is needed by every property owner or manager who hires a contractor to clear snow and ice during winter. Residential homeowners in cities like Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Montreal typically engage contractors from November through March or April, depending on the region. Municipal bylaws in most Canadian cities require property owners to clear sidewalks within 12 to 24 hours after snowfall ceases, with fines for non-compliance.

Commercial property owners — retail plazas, office buildings, medical clinics, schools, churches, and industrial facilities — face even greater liability exposure and typically require comprehensive contracts with detailed service level standards, including accumulation triggers (typically 2.5 to 5 cm), response times, completion deadlines, and de-icing protocols. Multi-unit residential properties (condominiums and apartment buildings) need contracts that address common areas, visitor parking, accessible parking spaces, and emergency vehicle access.

The contract is particularly critical for establishing the division of liability in the event of a slip-and-fall injury. Without a written contract specifying the contractor's obligations, service standards, and indemnification terms, the property owner bears the full risk of liability under the Occupiers' Liability Act.

A comprehensive Canadian Snow Removal Service Contract must define precise service level standards: the snow accumulation trigger (in centimetres) that initiates service, the maximum response time after snowfall ceases, and the deadline for completing all clearing operations. These standards are critical for establishing whether the contractor met the duty of care in a slip-and-fall claim.

The contract should list every area to be cleared — driveways, walkways, steps, entrances, parking lots, loading docks, fire routes, accessible parking spaces, and municipal sidewalks — with a detailed property description or site map. Snow stacking locations must be designated to avoid blocking sightlines at intersections, drainage catch basins, fire hydrants, and neighbouring properties.

De-icing provisions should specify the types of materials permitted (rock salt, calcium chloride, sand, eco-friendly alternatives), who provides them, and the cost structure. Environmental restrictions on salt use vary by municipality and should be addressed in the contract.

Insurance requirements should specify the minimum CGL coverage (typically $2M for residential, $5M for commercial), with the policy specifically endorsed for snow and ice removal operations including completed operations coverage. The contract should include a detailed slip-and-fall liability clause referencing the Occupiers' Liability Act and, in Ontario, the 60-day notice requirement under Bill 118. A property damage clause should address plow damage to lawns, driveways, curbs, fences, and mailboxes, with the client responsible for marking obstacles with reflective stakes.