Cambridge is watching how neighbouring cities rewrite the rules on fireworks before lighting the fuse on a debate at council.
Kitchener and Guelph will soon consider new bylaws that, in Kitchener's case at least, could ban fireworks entirely. A motion asking for a complete ban cited the number of complaints fireworks generate and their dangerous misuse in recent incidents in Waterloo region.
A Waterloo city councillor was hit in the face with an intentionally aimed firework in July. In another July 1 incident, several fireworks were shot into a crowd at Victoria Park in Kitchener.
Guelph isn't considering a complete ban yet and is instead drafting a new permit-based fireworks bylaw for consideration later this month.
The City of Cambridge has been looking at revising its fireworks bylaw for more than a year, but now some councillors say they want local rules to align with bylaws in neighbouring cities to avoid confusion.
Ward 1 councillor Helen Shwery said city council is waiting to see the outcomes of the report coming to Kitchener this fall.
"From what I'm hearing, we would like a city within the Region of Waterloo to have more consistent standards," said Shwery. "But based on feedback I received from constituents in Ward 1, they're very divided on the issue."
She said many residents she has spoken to are happy to see a stricter bylaw limiting when and where fireworks can be set off, while others are pushing for a complete ban.
The city currently allows fireworks without a permit before 11 p.m. on three holidays; Victoria Day, Canada Day and Diwali.
The only exception is if you have a permit from the city. No fireworks are permitted in public parks or on public roads and those who wish to host a public display must obtain a permit.
Sale of fireworks by licensed retailers is allowed 10 days prior to each holiday without exception.
More information is available on the city's website.
Ward 7 councillor Scott Hamilton agrees that the city is essentially waiting for the other cities to complete reports and reviews so all of the municipalities can come together on an integrated, region-wide approach.
A motion approved by Kitchener city council at the beginning of October directed staff to explore what a total ban would look like. This would mean no private or public displays, unless led by the municipality.
One of the areas Kitchener will look to for direction is Brampton, which enacted a full ban on resident-led fireworks in 2022.
"All fireworks are prohibited in Brampton. The ban includes the use, sale, offer, display, purchase, distribution, possession and discharge of any fireworks or explosives within the city," states the bylaw.
The municipality still hosts firework displays on Canada Day, Victoria Day and Diwali.
A total personal fireworks ban like the one in Brampton could see anyone who discharges or is in possession of fireworks without a permit fined $500. Anyone caught selling, distributing, displaying or offering fireworks for sale would be fined $1,000.
Even if a property owner permits, allows or causes fireworks to be set off on private property without a permit, it could result in a $500 fine.
During a Cambridge city council meeting last year, Mayor Jan Liggett called for stricter bylaws around the pyrotechnics saying, "I think fireworks is one of our biggest complaints coming forward."
She added that she was ready back then to ban private fireworks and join other communities in personal bans.
City staff and bylaw manager, John Mattocks declined to comment on the upcoming bylaw review until Cambridge city council has had a chance to discuss any findings presented in a staff report.
But with Diwali coming up on Oct. 31, Shwery wants to remind the public to follow city guidelines for fireworks to avoid getting fined.
