However, even small amounts of snow in the Vancouver area can cause school closures, as well as produce traffic problems. The low frequency of snowfall makes it hard to justify the public works infrastructure necessary for more effective snow removal, as the city is usually in a thaw situation long before plowing of streets are completed. The City budgets $400,000 per year for the maintenance of snow removal equipment, for the purchasing of de-icing salt, and for the training of staff, but the costs of actual snow removal are funded separately from contingency reserve funds, and vary widely from season to season.
Vancouver's small snowfall amounts can cause school closures and traffic problems.  The city struggles to justify the expense of snow removal infrastructure because it is usually thawing before streets are plowed. The City spends $400,000 annually on snow removal equipment maintenance, salt purchases, and staff training but actual costs vary greatly from year to year.