An annual petition to curb fireworks in Brampton has reached nearly 9,000 signatures and now the city is poised to ban the sale and use of fireworks at its next council meeting.
The Change.org petition was created by a “Brampton resident” who wanted either a “fireworks mandate” to limit the days and hours pyrotechnics can be set off, or an outright ban “as these problems are increasing in the area of Brampton and surrounding areas. “
As of Friday, 8,863 people had signed the petition out of a total of 10,000 signatures. Excessive noise – especially late at night – environmental impact and frequency are among the reasons why Brampton residents signed the petition.
In a news release issued Thursday, the city of Brampton announced a fireworks ban could be in place soon, prompted by an increase in complaints from residents since 2019.
After a unanimous vote to amend the fireworks bylaw at a Council Committee meeting on Wednesday, Brampton must ratify the proposal on Nov. 28 and immediately make it illegal to set off or sell fireworks in the city at any time.
Currently, residents are only allowed to set off fireworks four times a year on their private properties: on Victoria Day, Canada Day, Diwali and New Year’s Day.
They also can only shoot short-range pyrotechnics that travel less than three meters, about the height of a basketball hoop, off their private property for these holidays. Fireworks that fly higher than this are illegal, as is setting them off in public places such as sidewalks, streets or parks.
If the recommendation is ratified, the proposed bylaw would eliminate all rules that allowed residents to set off fireworks without a permit on those holidays. The film industry and city events will be exempted from the ban.
Fines will be tougher for those who break the rules under the proposed recommendations. The fine will be $350 to $500 and the sale of fireworks will be $350 to $1,000.
To celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights, with fireworks, Brampton says it will add an annual city holiday similar to New Year’s and Canada Day in 2023.
“We have heard the concerns of our community regarding the fireworks bylaw, and our goal is, by amending it, to ensure that everyone can enjoy their holidays safely and without disruption, excessive noise or debris,” Mayor Patrick Brown said in a news release.
“Thank you to everyone for making their voices heard on this topic and I look forward to welcoming residents to our first annual Diwali celebration event next year!”
GTA FIREWORKS POLICIES
In Toronto, fireworks can be set off on private property – without a permit – on Victoria Day and Canada Day until 11 p.m. Otherwise, a permit is required.
Pyrotechnics are prohibited in parks and beaches, and similar to Brampton’s current rules, fireworks cannot be set off in the street, parking lot or balcony.
Those caught setting off fireworks, firecrackers or rockets in a Toronto park can be charged with a $600 fine, according to the city’s parks bylaw. Fines under Toronto’s fireworks law range from $600 to $1,000.
The same rules apply in Vaughan, Markham and Richmond Hill for when residents can use fireworks for holiday celebrations.
Mississauga and Oakville follow the same current guidelines as Brampton, allowing locals to shoot fireworks on Diwali and New Year.
Oshawa allows family fireworks on Diwali, Victoria Day and Canada Day between dusk and 11 p.m. Meanwhile, in Whitby, residents can set off fireworks on these holidays, as well as on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
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