Name that Plow!

The Name that Plow contest is now open!

You can submit an entry until 11:59 p.m. on December 5.

We will post our finalists on December 8. Voting will open at noon.

Let it snow!

By entering the contest, you agree to these rules.

Submission period

The Contest begins at November 20, 2025 at 10 a.m. CST and runs through December 5 at 11:59 p.m. CST (“Submission Period”).

How to enter

To enter the Contest, visit winnipeg.ca/namethatplow during the submission period and follow the instructions for submitting a name entry for the contest. We will not accept entries submitted via any other means. The Name must meet the “Name Requirements,” described below.

There are two streams of Name submissions:

1. “Individual entry”: We will select 12 names: one for each of our six in-house graders and six in-house loaders:
   This is open to all City of Winnipeg residents with a limit of four entries per person.
2. “Classroom entry”: One name will be selected for our team of 45 push-plow sidewalk cleaners:
   This is open to submission by individual teacher representatives of any school classrooms within Winnipeg with a limit of four entries per classroom.

In the case a name selected to be a finalist has been submitted by more than one individual, all who submitted the name will be entered into a random draw. One single entrant will be drawn at random from the submissions to move forward as a finalist to the judging period.

Name requirements

Name submissions must:

• Be under 50 characters and five words or fewer
• Not contain profanity or inappropriate language
• Not contain the entrant's name (though plays on celebrity or fictional character names are allowed)

Judging

A panel of City of Winnipeg Staff will evaluate the names and select up to 30 individual names and up to 30 classroom entries for our push-plow fleet. These names which will be available for members of the public to view and vote on from 12 p.m. on December 8 through 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2025.

Winners

• We will notify the winners of each category on January 7, 2026 and announce them publicly on or around January 13, 2026.
• The 12 winning individual entries will be invited to an announcement event on or around January 13, 2026.
• The classroom that submits the winning team name will be invited to a pizza party with the Mayor on a date to be mutually arranged.

General conditions

• All federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations apply. The City of Winnipeg reserves the right to disqualify any entrant from the contest if, in the City of Winnipeg’s sole discretion, it reasonably believes that the entrant has attempted to undermine the legitimate operation of the contest by cheating, deception, or other unfair playing practices or annoys, abuses, threatens or harasses any other entrants, viewers, or the judges.
• Entrants represent that they hold any applicable intellectual property rights necessary to submit a Name for consideration under this Contest.
• Your personal information is being collected by The City of Winnipeg pursuant to Section 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. This information will be used to administer the contest and will not be used or disclosed for any other purposes, except as authorized by law or as outlined in these Official Rules. If you have any questions about the collection or use of this information, contact the Corporate FIPPA Coordinator by mail to City Clerk’s Department, Administration Building, 510 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 1B9, or by telephone at 311.
• Entrants understand that contest administration may include and this data may be used to verify an Entrant’s identity, postal address and telephone number in the event an entry qualifies as a winner. If an Entrant does not provide the data required at registration, that entry will be ineligible.
• The City of Winnipeg reserves the right to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest for any reason, in the City’s sole discretion.

Did you snow - er, know - these key snowy details?

Our snow clearing and ice control program typically runs from November until April. We make decisions based on the Council-approved Policy on Snow Clearing & Ice Control.

We use both City-owned heavy equipment and privately-owned equipment hired on contracts. When we are clearing snow, we use:

• Sand/salt spreader trucks
• Truck plows
• Motor graders
• Front-end loaders
• Sidewalk plows
• Snow blowers
• Anti-icing trucks

This equipment helps us:

• Clear snow from streets, lanes, sidewalks, and active transportation pathways
• Move accumulated snow to snow disposal sites
• Sand and salt to improve traction on roadways
• Thaw curb inlets, catch basins and culverts in the spring so water can drain
• Clear ditches of snow, ice and debris to prevent overland flooding

Streets and sidewalks are cleared on a priority basis: Priority 1 (P1) regional streets and major routes first; then Priority 2 (P2) bus routes and collector streets; and finally Priority 3 (P3) residential streets.

Get more information on snow clearing:

If it is snowing or has snowed, you should expect to see our equipment on the road.

The flashing amber and blue safety lighting on equipment makes it more visible. It also warns people that these vehicles are at work.

Always think safety-first when you're near heavy equipment. Crews need room to do their work. It's in everyone's best interest to Stay Back, Stay Safe.

Always remember:

• Drive to winter conditions
• Be patient
• Allow additional time to get where you're going
• Choose alternate routes where you don't see equipment working

Winter road safety tips

Slow down around equipment. Stay far away.
The recommended distance is a minimum of 15 metres (approximately three car lengths). When a spreader truck is applying salt or sand to the road surface, slow down and keep back from the truck to avoid being hit with salt or sand.

Keep your headlights on.
Snow clearing equipment often produces clouds of snow that may reduce visibility.

Prepare to stop.
Snow clearing equipment travels at much slower speeds than other vehicles. Operators stop frequently to assess their work. Freshly plowed streets can also be slippery. Drive to conditions and give yourself sufficient room to stop.

Do not pass to the right of equipment.
Snow and debris are often plowed to the right.

Be cautious when approaching from behind.
Snow clearing equipment often makes several passes over the same area. This means they often move in reverse. Vehicles travelling too close to equipment are at risk of damage or collision.

Make eye contact.
If you are unsure of what a heavy equipment operator is about to do, wait and make eye contact with the operator. They will either finish the task, or – if it is safe – stop and wave you through before continuing their work.

Do not drive through windrows.
You may get stuck in the snow and ice or scatter the snow and create a hazard for other motorists.

Additional snow safety tips

• When possible, park vehicles off-street (in locations such as driveways and parking lots). Vehicles parked on the roadway can make our work harder.
• Teach children to stay back from roads and sidewalks when they see plowing equipment.
• Move portable basketball and hockey nets, skateboard ramps, and other structures away from the street. This helps plowing equipment clear the area without causing damage. •
• Put away garbage and recycling bins in a timely manner. Store them in a location that will not interfere with snow clearing.
• Keep privately owned trees along streets trimmed back.
• Check the weather forecast before travelling.
• Reduce speed. It takes longer to stop when conditions are poor.
• Turn off your radio and heating fans when approaching railway crossings. This helps you listen for trains.
• Look for railway warning signs and signals. Remember snow may cover train tracks at a crossing.
• Use winter tires.
• Leave the area of stalled or stuck vehicles. Once safe, immediately notify emergency responders by calling 911.