City council rejects fireworks ban, adds Chinese New Year
Light the fuse London, fireworks will be allowed in backyards and in public shows after city councillors voted Tuesday to support the light show in all its forms.
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Light the fuse London, fireworks will be allowed in backyards and in public shows after city councillors voted Tuesday to support the light show in all its forms.
City politicians voted 10-5 to allow fireworks on Canada Day, Victoria Day, Diwali and Chinese New Year. Councillors added the Chinese celebration after a last minute pitch by the London chapter of the Chinese Canadian National Council.
“We have heard loud and clear, there has been a lot of discussion around this,” said Ward 4 Coun. Susan Stevenson, in support of fireworks.
“I love fireworks. I have great memories as a kid. We can get together and have some fun in difficult times. Let’s embrace joy and festivity and be kind to our fellow neighbours.”
Councillors Sam Trosow, David Ferreira, Anna Hopkins, Skylar Franke and Hadleigh McAlister voted against the motion, with all citing their opposition to backyard fireworks.
Trosow was the most vocal opponent, saying fireworks cause damage to the environment, harm animals and people and should be banned entirely.
“What has been lost is the environmental lens. We are in a climate emergency, fireworks go up and when they come down they leave chemicals,” on the land and groundwater, he said.
“We are overlooking the fundamental point that fireworks are dangerous and have devastating effects,” Trosow said.
In its decision, council voted to allow fireworks on those four days and have staff return to the community and protective services committee with a proposed new bylaw.
Professional fireworks shows, with a city hall permit, still will be allowed.
Ward 8 Coun. Steve Lehman, speaking after the meeting, said he supported the motion because it called for a review of licencing retailers and greater restrictions on sales.
The number of days fireworks can be sold in the city ahead of holidays will be reduced from five from seven.
“In addition to bylaw officers not being able enforce a ban, as sales could be done online or by unlicensed sellers just outside city limits, I supported the motion as it will mean fewer days allowed for sales, fireworks discharge only allowed on specific days and not days leading up to those dates, as well as heavier fines for those not in compliance,” he said.
But because the new fireworks bylaw will not be in effect until later this year, council also supported a move from Ward 7 Coun. Corrine Rahman to allow fireworks for Diwali celebrations in November.
The amendment to add Chinese New Year sparked a debate about how holidays should be included.
“Where does it end?” Trosow said. “How many weeks will we have pop-up stands? My main concern is proliferation of supply.”
Rahman warned of the tone from politicians when discussing different cultures.
“There is a negative tone round certain holidays. I think we have to be careful around our tone,” she said.
Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis responded to concern over drawing the circle too wide in adding celebrations, saying the Chinese and Hindu have celebrated with lights for hundreds of years.
“There would have to be a demonstrable cultural holiday for us to consider this and Diwali and Chinese New Year meet that threshold,” he said.
Early in the debate, city politicians defeated a move by Trosow to send the matter back to staff for more study. Trosow said he wanted more detail on licensing and who is allowed to sell fireworks.
“It would be in the best interests of the community to refer this back for more information. There are a number of questions pending regarding licensing and enforcement,” he said.
In defeating Trosow’s motion, city politicians noted there was a four-hour debate on the issue at the committee level.
“This has been an extensive process and discussion and the community is ready for us to make a decision,” Rahman said.
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