• In a surprise move, Stouffville’s Council has voted to ban the sale and use of all consumer-grade fireworks within town limits.
  • Professionally launched fireworks displays will still be allowed with a permit.
  • Councillor Keith Acton introduced the amendment during Council’s October 16, 2024, meeting, changing recommendations covered in a previous article.
  • Staff will now revise the Fireworks By-Law to align with Council’s new direction.
  • While the ban is not expected to take effect until Q1 2025, the current by-law already prohibits the sale and use of family fireworks during that period.
  • Stouffville’s Fireworks By-Law will also fall under the Administrative Monetary Penalty System to streamline enforcement.

 

In presenting his amendments, Councillor Keith Acton thanked Staff for their work and recommendations, which included licensing fireworks retailers, raising the legal age for purchasing and using fireworks to 19, and closing parks 30 minutes earlier.

“The last paragraph of the report says the measures presented will not eliminate the problems,” Acton said. “They have the potential to significantly reduce incidents, and…Staff believe that a combination of these items could help address community safety concerns. But I think we can do more than this for public safety.”

“Whenever we can, we have an obligation to insulate our children and our people from any potential risks or harms,” Acton added. “The negative, and potentially negative, byproducts of fireworks greatly outweigh any positive byproducts—if there are any.”

Acton’s amendment was seconded by Councillor Hugo Kroon, who noted the increasing number of complaints about illegal and late-night fireworks. Acknowledging Staff’s recommendations as “a good first step,” Kroon said he believed Council was already moving toward the proposed ban.

The Town’s by-law distinguishes between “family” and “display” fireworks, as defined by Federal legislation. Family, or consumer, fireworks are typically sold through local retailers like Walmart and pop-up vendors. Under the current by-law, their sale and use is permitted only around Victoria Day and Canada Day.

While family fireworks will be banned, professional pyrotechnicians will still be allowed to launch display fireworks. A permit will be required for these displays, and safety regulations must be followed.

“We have to admit that [fireworks] are not only very disruptive, but potentially dangerous items. It needs to be left in the hands of professionals,” Kroon said. “I’m happy that the professionals that we do have operating in our town get the licenses, get all the approvals, and make sure everything happens right.”

Council also discussed the possibility of banning the possession of family fireworks within Stouffville. Although it was not included in their final decision, the consideration spotlighted difficulties the Town faces in the enforcement of its Fireworks By-Law.

Becky Jamieson, Stouffville’s Commissioner of Corporate Services and Clerk, noted that it can be hard for officers responding to complaints to arrive while fireworks are still being used. When illegal fireworks are set off in parks, offenders are often minors, and gathering evidence for charges can be challenging.

A ban on possession “is a bit beyond what we, at Staff level, would recommend,” Jamieson said. Fire Chief William Snowball agreed, adding, “I can’t see how we could possibly enforce…the possession of fireworks in town.”

Council unanimously approved Acton’s amendment, which also removed Staff’s recommendation to close Stouffville’s public parks at 11 p.m. Instead, parks will continue to stay open until 11:30 p.m.

In final comments, Councillor Rick Upton asked Staff to consider deploying additional evening officers on holidays and religious days known for fireworks. “There is no use making the amendments and then not being prepared to police it,” Upton said.

With Council’s direction, Staff will begin amending the Fireworks By-Law. Final approval is expected early next year, and a communications plan will be developed to inform the community about the changes.

*Cover image by Markus Spiske on Unsplash