Burlington Committee Looks at Changes to City’s Fireworks Bylaw

*Please note this item will be voted on by Burlington City Council at its meeting on Monday (Nov. 23).

Council members discussed implementing some changes to the City’s fireworks bylaw at the Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services (EICS) Committee meeting on Monday, Nov. 9.

Among the recommendations were to only allow fireworks on Canada Day and Victoria Day.

Neighbourhoods, community groups, or religious or cultural organizations can still organize fireworks displays by filing for a permit with the City and hiring an individual certified to set off fireworks.

Here is the full recommendation that EICS Committee carried:

• Enact new City of Burlington Fireworks By-law XX-2020, attached as Appendix “C” to Report BFD-03-20, satisfactory to the Executive Director of Legal Services & Corporation Counsel.
• Enact amended City of Burlington Licensing By-law No. 42-2008, attached as Appendix “D” to Report BFD-03-20, satisfactory to the Executive Director of Legal Services & Corporation Counsel.
• Enact amended City of Burlington Nuisance and Noise Control By-law No. 49-2008, attached as Appendix “E’ to Report BFD-03-20, satisfactory to the Executive Director of Legal Services & Corporation Counsel; and
• Amend Fireworks By-Law 84-2020 section 4.1 to read ‘No person shall discharge or cause or permit the discharge of any Consumer Fireworks except between dusk and 11:00 p.m. on Canada Day and Victoria Day only.’

For more information, here is the:

• Staff report (with appendices A and B): BFD-03-20 – Fireworks Report
• Other appendices:
  • BFD-03-20 Appendix C Fireworks By-law 2020
  • BFD-03-20 Appendix D Business Licensing By-law 2020 amendment
  • BFD-03-20 Appendix E Noise and Nuisance By-law 2020

MAYOR MEED WARD’S TAKE:

I supported the staff report that was presented to committee and council. Where we achieve inclusivity of various religious and cultural groups in community is two-fold: Canada Day is for everyone, and religious groups who wish to put on a fireworks display can still do so with some protocols around it. Community notice for neighbours when a permit is issued is important so that people know it’s coming and can plan their days accordingly.

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*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor’s Media and Digital Communications Specialist