It is one of the most iconic images in Toronto history – Mayor Mel Lastman with his first pumping towards the sky, riding in a tank with the Canadian army, not long after he called in the troops to fight one of the worst winter snow storms in the city’s history (left).

It was an impressive sight that has also proven to be one of the GTA’s most embarrassing moments in the national spotlight. It happened ten years ago this week, on January 12, 1999, after the city was hit with a disastrous dumping that was unprecedented in its scope.

Toronto was paralyzed by snow banks so high, they reached the second storey of some houses, covered bus shelters and brought outdoor sections of the subway to a frigid halt. Mayor Mel Lastman felt his only option was to ask for help and the army...