Snow removal frustrations? YouTube shaming your neighbours probably isn’t the best approach

DO YOU KNOW YOUR OBLIGATIONS FOR SNOW REMOVAL?

KELOWNA – Dealing with snow can be kind of frustrating but this probably isn't the best way to deal with it.

We discovered this YouTube video from user 'imabushwacker' publicly shaming his neighbour on his Kelowna street. He heads down the street, camera rolling, to confront her for the  crime of shovelling snow from her driveway onto the street. He claims to represent the neighbourhood during the confrontation.

Bushwacker is actually correct. The city's FAQ section about snow removal says pushing snow into the street is a punishable offence.

"It creates a potentially dangerous situation for motorists and you could be held liable if an accident was caused by the buildup of snow."

But as the neighbour being confronted in the video notes, a simply advisory might solve the problem. Even a call to bylaw might have been a suitable step before she's shamed before the world.

In case you are preparing for the next round of smartphone justice, here's a couple other things you should know about snow:

• The City of Kelowna also requires most residents to remove all traces of ice and snow from the sidewalk beside their residence or property within 24 hours of the end of a snowfall.
• If you need help removing snow, try Snowbusters.
• If you are frustrated with the city plows filling your driveway with snow, try pushing that snow onto the left side of your driveway (facing the home)
• As you are clearing snow, remember to clear a good spot for garbage and recycling collection; that's still your responsibility
• It's Christmas. Be kind to one another

This is true regardless of whether there may be a median strip between the property and the sidewalk.

So now you know.

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To contact a reporter for this story, email John McDonald at jmcdonald@infonews.ca or call 250-808-0143. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

— Style corrections were made to this story at 1 p.m. Dec. 24, 2015.

— This story was updated with a spelling correction at 8:57 a.m., Dec. 29, 2015.