Last weekend, many Caledon residents celebrated Diwali, a festival of lights, with fireworks.
During that time, Caledon Fire and Emergency Services received 11 complaints from residents about the outbreak of fireworks.
WHAT WERE THE COMPLAINTS?
The complaints of the residents were related to the noise of the fireworks, the debris that they produced and that were being detonated on a day not allowed by the current ordinance of the town.
WHEN ARE FIREWORKS ALLOWED?
Under the city’s fireworks statute, fireworks are not allowed at any time other than Canada Day and Victoria Day.
Lighting fireworks on residential properties, sidewalks, streets, public parks, schoolyards, and any other public area, outside of these days, is not allowed and is subject to a fine.
IS THE PEOPLE CHANGING THIS STATUTE?
At a council meeting on May 18, 2021, the council directed the Fire and Emergency Services to review the existing statute.
The Fire and Emergency Services will send the council a report on November 30, 2021 on the proposed changes the city can implement.
WHAT ARE THE CHANGES YOU PROPOSE?
Fire and Emergency Services will recommend allowing fireworks on Chinese New Year, Diwali and New Year’s Eve.
They also want to increase enforcement measures by issuing fines when fireworks are not allowed and setting acceptable times to light them.
Another recommendation is to introduce a permit for residential properties of half an acre or more and establish a minimum safe discharge distance around schools, nursing homes, farms, industrial facilities, and gas stations.
The letter to the council will also propose some other changes to theatrical pyrotechnics for use by the television and film industry, as well as vendor / vendor training.
Reference-www.thestar.com