It comes as part of a relatively new and widely unknown Brampton bylaw, which regulates and limits the use and sale of fireworks across the city.

According to Brampton Division Chief Fire Prevention Brian Maltby, fire crews were called to two unrelated incidences involving the launch of fireworks— one of which resulted in a small fire at a city park near the corner of Dixie Road and Peter Robertson Boulevard.

Bylaw introduced ’06
The bylaw, which was introduced in 2006, states recreational consumer fireworks, such as roman candles, pinwheels, lawn lights and sparklers, cannot be displayed or set-off in, on or around buildings, automobiles, highways, streets, school grounds, parks, trails or residences containing less than 18 metres (60 feet) of frontage. Further, residents following these guidelines are only permitted to launch consumer fireworks on Victoria Day, New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Canada Day. The bylaw came after council received complaints of people mishandling fireworks.

“There were two issues,” said Maltby. “One is that we wanted to try and make the people of Brampton as safe as possible through the use of fireworks and two is through the sale of fireworks.”
Businesses wishing to sell fireworks must apply to the city for a permit.

“At one time fireworks were virtually for sale to the public at almost every major street corner,” said Maltby.

Only two Brampton businesses were granted permits this year. According to Maltby, the new bylaw, although still unfamiliar to many residents, has significantly decreased the amount of incidences seen on holiday weekends.

“A couple years ago it wasn’t unusual for the fire service to respond to 10 or 15 incidents over a weekend and this past Canada Day we only had two.”

One charge stems from a resident setting off firecrackers at their private residence, which measured too small for safe fireworks usage. A fleet of 10 bylaw cars were patrolling the streets for hazardous fireworks use this past Tuesday, but according to the director of bylaw enforcement, Matt Holland, those found breaking the bylaw were mostly let off with a warning.

“Because it’s a new bylaw our objective is to stress public education. (bylaw officers) had a chance to speak to a number of residents who planned to innocently discharge fireworks on city property.

When they were instructed to use their fireworks elsewhere or not use them at all, they responded appropriately,” said Holland.

“This really is a long-term social change. I think it will take a long time for people to really change their behaviour and comply with this bylaw.” Maltby agrees.

“Our role is education rather than enforcement. Education of the law comes first and that’s the role we’ve now taken.”

A sign highlighting the dangers of fireworks was displayed outside fire service offices on Central Park Drive and seen in newspaper advertisements across the city.

Alternatives were offered to firecracker enthusiasts; many residents flocked to Chinguacousy Park for the city’s much anticipated display.

Maltby, who approves the fireworks for the celebration said the city selected a wide variety of expensive fireworks this year.

“I think the city is truly committed to showing people we do need to have this done safely, so we’re going to put on a good show for the public.”