'In Saint-Henri, you're stuck at home': Snow-filled Southwest poses challenge for wheelchair users

These days, even getting to the doctor's officeis an ordeal for Alexandre Cherton.

The Saint-Henri resident, who was born with spinabifida,had to ask his motherfor a liftafter both the STM adapted transit service and a taxi said there was too much snow outside his apartment building to fully lower a wheelchair ramp for him.

"For the last week or two, it's almost impossible to go even to the corner of the street," Cherton told CBC.

"It's just unbelievable that it's not possible for every citizen to go around their own neighbourhood."

• Snow removal operations in Southwest borough called 'pitiful'

Montreal's Southwest borough, which includes theSaint-Henri district, lags far behind the rest of the city when it comes toclearing roads and sidewalks following this week'smajor snow dump.

On Thursday, the city said it intendsto cancel acontract with Pavagesd'Amour, the company in charge ofremoving snow in the Southwest.

Accessible for everyone?

Only 24per cent of the Southwest had been cleared by late afternoon onThursday, according to the city'sInfo-Neige website far less than elsewhere in the city.

Cherton said the sidewalks in his neighbourhood have never been so clogged.

He said it's understandable that it takes a day or two to clear but at some point the sidewalks should be accessible to everyone.

"I went toCteSaint-Luc and downtown, and the sidewalks are clear, and it's very easy to go everywhere you want," he said.

"But when you'rehere inSaint-Henri, you're stuck at home."