After the Yukon Coroner’s Service released a report on the death of Whitehorse resident Margaret Johnson, the city says it’s not responsible for clearing the section of sidewalk near where Johnson died.

The woman, who used a motorized wheelchair, was killed on Second Avenue last February.

She was travelling in the curb lane of Second Avenue between Strickland and Alexander streets when she was hit by a Ford Ranger pickup truck proceeding south.

The sidewalk along that section was clear of ice and snow. The sidewalk between Jarvis and Strickland Streets was not.

“She faced numerous challenges every time she had to go downtown in the winter,” Shannon Johnson, Margaret’s daughter, said in an email.

“Some responsibility for the accident falls on the City of Whitehorse to ensure that sidewalks and cutouts remain clear of snow for the users of wheelchairs.

“In turn, there is a responsibility on business owners as well to ensure the sidewalks are safe for everyone who uses them.”

Peter O’Blenes, the city’s director of operations, said city bylaw officers will remind business owners of their responsibility to clear sidewalks, but this process is driven by complaints from Yukoners.

He said he isn’t certain which business or businesses are responsible for the sidewalk where Johnson was killed.

He said he is also “not 100 per cent sure” if those businesses were reminded, after Margaret’s death, to keep sidewalks free of snow and ice.

Jessica Appolloni, the city’s manager of strategic communications, said the city has just launched a winter commuting safety campaign.

Ads will begin running soon, reminding drivers to watch for pedestrians and cyclists, and to stay within speed limits.

They also remind pedestrians and cyclists to dress in high-visibility clothing and to use lights and reflectors, and encourage residents to clear sidewalks of ice and snow.

According to section 22 of the city’s maintenance bylaw, “Every owner or occupier of property within the City shall remove snow or ice from the sidewalks and lane crossings bordering the property owned or occupied by him, or any portion of such lanes and sidewalks bordering on the property owned or occupied by him.”

The section goes on to say that, on the day after a snowfall, snow and ice must be removed from commercial premises sidewalks and lane crossings before 11 a.m., or immediately upon request by a city bylaw inspector.

The owners or occupiers of residential properties have 48 hours to comply following snowfall. They too must act immediately upon request from a city inspector.

O’Blenes said the city doesn’t get many calls from residents about uncleared snow and ice, though there are the occasional calls about bus shelters that have been blocked by business owners shovelling snow in front of them.

In these cases, he said, the city removes the snow and reminds the business owner not to block the shelter.

Shannon is still frustrated by the circumstances.

“People’s inattention to these issues contributed to the accident that took away a woman who was a devoted mother, grandmother and friend,” she said.

“The department of motor vehicles also needs to ensure the safety of everyone on the road by adequately testing drivers’ ability. The rules surrounding accidents such as this have got to be amended so that there is at least some consequence for the drivers that assume even partial responsibility for them.”

Any resident with a concern about snow removal from a sidewalk can contact bylaw services at 667-2111.