Some safety advocates have expressed concern that 33 cement trucks joining Toronto's snow removal fleet this winter will pose a greater danger to pedestrians and cyclists on the road. Jess Spiker, from Friends and Family For Safe Streets, told CTV News Toronto: "At first glance, I thought it seemed like a very bad idea; it immediately brought to mind the names of all the people I know who have been hit and killed by cement mixer operators. It’s an annoyingly long list."

The last known cement truck fatality was in November 2021 near Dundas and Sherbourne Streets when a woman in her sixties who was using a wheelchair was fatally struck.

Jas Matlo, who said he was only recently aware that cement trucks would be part of the winter maintenance fleet, wrote: "Cement trucks have been involved in a disproportionate number of tragic deaths on our city's streets over the past few years. City staff should have informed the council before taking this unusual step."

However, city officials say there is no need for concern since the converted tri-axle vehicles are not much different from what has been previously used for snow removal in Toronto.

According to Vincent Sferrazza, the city's director of operations and maintenance, the cement trucks retrofitted will be used exclusively on main roads and will be equipped with several additional safety features such as blind spot mirrors, onboard cameras, a light bar, and signage to make them more visible to the public. Drivers will also be required to complete safety training.

The 33 vehicles also make up a small part of Toronto’s 1,100-vehicle ice removal fleet, and Sferrazza says it is not uncommon to use tri-axle vehicles in this way. Sferrazza pointed out that the cement mixer drum is essentially added to the vehicle for stability and balance.

Also, the Toronto City Council approved the $1 billion winter maintenance fleet in December 2021, before a major snowstorm hit the GTA. Within just 15 hours, about 55 cm of snow fell on the city, forcing roads to close and the mayor to declare a "major snowstorm emergency," costing the city over $17 million, or nearly 20 percent of the annual winter maintenance budget, to remove 180,000 tons of snow that had accumulated on streets and sidewalks.

The new winter maintenance contracts are for seven years of service, with an optional additional three years.