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Fireworks, literally, in next council meeting

Fireworks explode over Parliament Hill to celebrate New Year's Eve and Canada's 150th anniversary of Confederation on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Saturday, December 31, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand

A new fireworks bylaw could be on full blast.

Canada Day is just around the corner, and the council meets Tuesday, June 25, to consider a motion on the sale and distribution of fireworks in the region.

Regional Emergency Services (RES) recommends adopting a bylaw to decrease the possibility of misuse, especially in forested areas.

People enjoy fireworks, and RES says they should do so responsibly to prevent any future wildfires.

Shedding light on the issue

Historically, RES refused to allow the sale of fireworks by not issuing sale or handling permits.

Furthermore, they would limit usage to specific times like holidays.

When Alberta adopted the national fire code on April 1, 2019, it removed province-wide regulations.

Therefore, RES recommends to mayor and council a bylaw addressing this issue.

Under the bylaw, failure to obtain a fireworks permit comes with a fine of $250.00.

Facts and figures

  • The provincial fire code is the Alberta edition of the National Fire Code 2015.
  • According to Alberta Wildfire, there were 33 wildfires in the Fort McMurray Forested Area since March 1, 2019.
  • If passed, the motion would come into effect just in time for Canada Day.