Kelowna busker fined for disturbing the peace; claims he was bullied by bylaw officer

KELOWNA – A Kelowna busker has received an outpouring of support after a video of a bylaw officer ticketing the musician in the city's downtown went viral.

Michael S.E. Elliott was playing music in downtown Kelowna at the corner of Bernard Avenue and Pandosy Street on Saurday, March 11 when a bylaw officer gave him a ticket for $500 creating a disturbance. In the video the officer can be heard saying he had received a complaint.

Elliott shared the video Wednesday, March 15, and it had over 1,500 and 300 shares.

In the video, the bylaw officer asks for Elliot's busking permit and the musician says he doesn't need one if he isn't performing at one the official busking stops. That's true according to Festivals Kelowna which administers the Kelowna Busking program.

“This is not the first time I’ve dealt with bylaw officers who seem to be confused and misinformed about the bylaw and how it pertains specifically to busking,” Elliott said.

He says the responding RCMP officers characterized the incident as a pissing match with the bylaw officer.

Before fighting the ticket, Elliott is asking the public for their opinion on busking.

“I’m not exactly sure what to do,” Elliott says in the video. “Before I do anything I need to know from you how you feel.”

He says he can't afford to pay the ticket, especially now that he is unable to busk.

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