BONNYVILLE – Starting in the fall of 2023, the MD of Bonnyville will no longer be removing snow from the sidewalks of its hamlets.
On March 14, MD council approved amendments to its Snow and Ice Control Policy that shifts the onus of clearing snow and ice from sidewalks from the municipality to property owners. Under the previous policy, Infrastructure Services staff were tasked with clearing sidewalks in all MD hamlets.
According to the general manager of Infrastructure Services, Bryan Bespalko, council asked administration to revisit the MD’s Snow and Ice Control Policy during 2022 budget deliberations, specifically referencing sections surrounding sidewalk clearing.
“After a long discussion, council directed administration to draft a new policy placing the onus of sidewalk clearing on the property owner,” stated Bespalko, while introducing the proposed amendments to council.
“This revision would bring the MD into the service level offered by many other municipalities. Penalties for non-compliance are contained in the MD Consolidated Public Safety Bylaw.”
The new Consolidated Public Safety Bylaw states that property owners or occupants will have up to 48 hours to clear any sidewalk adjacent to their property of ice and snow from the time when snow or ice has stopped accumulating. The amended policy includes removing snow, ice and other debris from around any fire hydrant or public infrastructure adjacent to one's property as well.
Failure to keep sidewalks and fire hydrants clear of snow could result in fines.
Property owners or occupants who shovel ice, debris or other material from the sidewalk onto roads, highways or other public areas of the municipality, also risk fines.
Property owners could face penalties of $100 for the first violation, $200 for the second, and $500 for a third violation, states the municipality’s Consolidated Public Safety Bylaw.
There was no discussion among MD council before they approved amendments to the Snow and Ice Control Policy that passed with a six-to-one vote. Coun. Dana Swigart was the only member of council to oppose the amendment.
MD staff will continue to clear the sidewalks for the remainder of the 2022-23 winter season and will begin educating the public on the changes of responsibility for snow clearing, which will shift to property owners in the fall of 2023. At that time, enforcement will begin.
An additional clause that was not discussed but has been included in the amended policy states, “The MD will make the best effort to avoid plowing snow into driveways and on sidewalks, however, property owners will be responsible for the clearing of sidewalks and driveways of residual snow left by the snow clearing equipment in front of their own property.”
Bespalko also noted that there will be no financial implications following the change in policy “as the labour and equipment would be utilized elsewhere for municipal operations.”
