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- calendar_today November 2, 2026
Ottawa Snow Removal Companies Face Cost Pressures This Winter
As the winter season approaches, snow removal companies in Ottawa are warning customers to expect higher bills. Several companies cite increased diesel costs as a primary reason for raising prices, along with additional expenses related to staffing and equipment.
Kodiak Snow Removal Adds Surcharge to Offset Diesel Costs
Kodiak Snow Removal, which serves areas including Kanata and Stittsville, has announced the addition of a $2 fuel surcharge per snowfall to their contracts this winter. According to co-owner Allan Singer, the average seasonal contract costs around $550, but the new surcharge will add approximately $48 per customer based on last year’s 24 snow events. Singer emphasized that the price increase is not for extra profit, but necessary to maintain the quality of service as diesel costs surge. Filling the company’s roughly 80 tractors now costs thousands of dollars per season.
Other Companies Follow Suit With Price Adjustments
Worry Free Snowblowing, which operates in Navan, has also decided to raise rates for similar reasons. CEO Denis Bérubé explained that each client will pay an additional $30 this year. The increase is attributed not only to higher diesel prices but also the mounting expenses of staffing and equipment, partly due to a U.S. tariff on Canadian steel. As with Kodiak, the goal of the increase is to offset the company’s escalating fuel expenditure.
Economic Conditions Behind Rising Diesel Prices
Economist Colin Mang, an assistant professor at McMaster University, said that diesel prices are likely to remain elevated for the foreseeable future. He explained that a global shortage, driven by the ongoing war in the Middle East, has damaged many regional refineries. These facilities, which are significant suppliers of gasoline and diesel, are currently operating at about 75 percent of their pre-war capacity. Mang described the situation as a "prolonged problem" that could persist into next year, resulting in continued fluctuations and elevated fuel costs.
Customer Response and Industry Outlook
Despite the price increases, Kodiak’s Allan Singer reported that bookings for snow removal services have not declined. Customers appear understanding of the additional service fees, recognizing the impact of rising fuel and equipment costs. Singer noted that he has not received negative feedback from clients regarding the surcharges. The industry as a whole is expected to continue navigating cost pressures as winter sets in and essential resources remain expensive.
Source: cbc.ca.
