Fireworks ban suggested after late-night complaints in Mississauga

Late-night fireworks complaints in Mississauga have led to a discussion about a ban in the city.

Fireworks are a big part of the annual festival of lights, Diwali, which fell on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 this year. Unfortunately, there were many reports of fireworks continuing past the 11 p.m. this year.

The City of Mississauga allows people to set off fireworks on their property for celebrations throughout the year including Diwali, Lunar New Year, Victoria Day, Canada Day and New Year’s Eve but only from from dusk until 11 p.m.

Ward 11 Councillor Brad Butt told the City of Mississauga General Committee that he received numerous complaints about fireworks.

“Fireworks on Diwali is becoming a big problem,” Butt said at the meeting on Nov. 6. “People are not respecting our bylaw. They are not respecting the time frame, the end time frame, the stop by 11 p.m. It’s all night long.”

Between Oct. 31 and Nov. 2, there were 229 complaints related to fireworks use in Mississauga, city staff said.

Wards 5, 7 and 11 had the highest numbers of complaints, staff said.

Mayor Carolyn Parrish said she has always leaned toward a fireworks ban. She noted Peel Regional Police closed off Westwood Square this year so they were not as big of an issue there. But she wondered how much that cost police.

“This is out of control,” Parrish said. “I think it is time we had another looking a banning them (fireworks).”

Brampton banned fireworks after the city received 1,491 calls related to fireworks in 2022 and Parrish thought complaints are down. Brampton saw a 84 per cent reduction in complaints this year but also but Parrish noted they also put on a huge city celebration. She suggested Mississauga look at putting on big celebrations for Diwali, Eid and the Lunar New Year.

If there is a ban, it would be for all holidays not just Diwali, Parrish added.

Parrish said she would survey councillors on banning fireworks and find out about policing costs.

Ward 11 Councillor Natalie Hart said there is a lot of work and time spent behind the scenes from bylaw officers and police. She said she would also like to look at costs and overtime. If there isn’t a ban, Hart suggested there should be more education around the bylaw.

Councillor Dipika Damerla wanted numbers and comparisons between this year and last year. Also, she suggested looking at the numbers from Brampton.

Staff will look into the numbers and report back.

Lead photo: Pixabay