A mix of snow and rain left sidewalks in the Metro area slick with ice, which was on the minds of many St. John’s residents at a public discussion.

Last night the Social Justice Co-op of Newfoundland and Labrador partnered with Happy City St. John’s to hold a Green New Drinks panel discussion on pedestrian safety and sidewalks.

Panelists Elizabeth Yeoman, Daniel Fuller, Anne Malone and Ward 4 Councillor Ian Froude spoke about the current state of sidewalks in the city, and took questions from residents about how to improve conditions for all people.

Councillor Ian Froude says safe spaces are needed for every type of transportation, whether that be walking, using a wheelchair or driving a car.

Froude says over the next couple of months City staff will put together tangible solutions to combat snow clearing as well as costs associated with those solutions. He says once that is complete they will have a public engagement session where he hopes to hear from a wide range of residents in the city.

Pedestrian Charlotte Genest says this is her second winter living downtown, she says she has never seen the sidewalks this bad.

Genest says she doesn’t remember the last time she was able to walk on the sidewalk and says it’s fitting that she almost fell multiple times on her way to the panel.

Memorial University Student, Bruce March says the sidewalks are “brutal.” He thinks the city should be doing more to make sure everyone has access to the sidewalks.

March says it’s simply not safe, not accessible, and it’s dangerous.