THUNDER BAY - While loud bangs and bright lights in the night sky often mark a holiday celebration, some city residents say people are taking lighting off fireworks too far, and one city councilor wants to look at ways to keep things under control.
At the Thunder Bay city council meeting on Monday, Coun. Aldo Ruberto introduced a motion asking city administration to prepare a report on possible amendments to the firework bylaw.
“It seems people are setting off fireworks three days prior or three days after the day of celebration,” Ruberto said. “This is causing a lot of angst among people. People with animals in particularly are really complaining and they should.”
In a memo to city council, Ruberto said many residents have contacted him sharing concerns about fireworks being set off in the city.
“It has gotten out of hand,” Ruberto said. “People are not applying for permits. They are setting off fireworks and landing on people’s siding and burning the siding. I want administration to take a look and see what we can do to address some of these issues.”
Proposed amendments could include decreasing the dates people are permitted to setoff fireworks on or around statutory holidays, more support for bylaw officers, including hiring more people and permitting them to work beyond 4 p.m., and limiting the decibel level on the sale of certain fireworks.
“We don’t want to send the police to handle something like this,” Ruberto said. “Hopefully that will be all encompassed in a quick report.”
Mark Smith, general manager of development and emergency services with the city of Thunder Bay, said the existing fireworks bylaw is old and was last amended in 1993.
“I believe what it does is controls the sale and the use of fireworks,” he said. “Certain classes of fireworks do require a permit. The bylaw provides for the sale and use of fireworks six days prior to the day of celebration.”
Coun. Peng You said the public could use some reminders on what the bylaw in place says.
“We have regulations in place already, for example which days and what time,” he said. “Maybe this is a good time to refresh that on what days fireworks are allowed and what times.”
Smith said city administration would be happy to look into the existing bylaw and any possible amendments included Ruberto’s memo.
Council voted unanimously in favour of requesting the report. A report is expected to be presented to city council on Nov. 23, 2020.
