A Collingwood councillor's potentially explosive motion to look around for an alternative to traditional fireworks displays during Canada Day and other celebrations received enough support to make it a priority for the 2023 budget.
Coun. Deb Doherty argued fireworks have negative environmental impacts and the noise from the explosions can cause panic in animals and be disturbing for some people, such as those on the autism spectrum and those with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Though her motion for council's July 18 meeting suggested a ban of traditional fireworks in Collingwood "would be consistent" with the town's commitment to health and safety for residents and council's declaration of a climate crisis, she stopped short of calling for an outright ban.
Instead, she and most of council asked staff to consider alternate forms of light displays for special events and include their recommendations in the 2023 budget discussions. Those alternatives could include drones, laser shows and "quiet" fireworks.
"This is not a recommendation for any one format," said Doherty. "It's a request for staff to consider all the options ... this would give council and the public the opportunity to weigh-in."
She said she has received comments from residents who would like to see a change when it comes to fireworks, but couldn't speculate on general opinion on the matter.
"Therefore, it's best we ask staff to consider and cost options and consult with our public and come back with a direction we can, as a community, weigh-in on, and choose a way to go, or no way to go and eliminate all forms of aerial display," said Doherty.
Near the beginning of the current council four-year term, Coun. Steve Berman brought forward changes to the town's fireworks bylaw, which now only permits consumer fireworks (backyard displays) to be set off between dusk and 11 p.m. on Victoria Day and Canada Day. Anything outside of those two days would contravene the town's bylaw, unless a special event has obtained specific permission for a display.
The town's fireworks bylaw is enforced on a complaint basis.
Doherty said her motion is for town displays only, and doesn't yet include backyard fireworks.
"The town must lead by example," said Doherty. "If a budget item and policy is adopted in 2023, then we can take the next logical step and address the use of public fireworks."
Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture Dean Collver confirmed the town's current contract with a fireworks supplier is up this year and due for renewal.
He said the town looked at using drones for a light display on Canada Day this year, but it was contingent on a grant the town didn't end up achieving.
Doherty said she was contacted by the town's fireworks contractor and by the Canadian National Fireworks Association about her motion and her intent for it.
"I want to be very clear that nothing in this motion is to suggest that our current supplier does not do a very good, very professional, safety-first presentation of fireworks on the one day a year we do present them," said Doherty.
She also acknowledged the advocacy the Canadian National Fireworks Association is doing to make fireworks displays safer.
In a letter to council, the fireworks association stated its mission to promote fair access and safety in the sale and use of fireworks through public education, advocacy with regulators as well as strong and engaged member compliance.
"Over 4,000 consumer fireworks are listed as approved products by the Government of Canada's explosive regulatory division and are fully legal to sell and discharge across Canada," states the letter signed by Perry Logan, executive director for the association.
The letter explains all fireworks approved for sale in Canada are tested for decibel levels and chemical compositions, both of which must fall within federal requirements.
The association offers safety training courses, has a program requiring pamphlets with safety and legal information on them to be included with every sale of fireworks, and also has posted papers on animals, pollution and ecological studies with tips for mitigating the impact of fireworks.
Logan's letter stated that while the term "silent fireworks" is not "recognized" in Canadian federal standards, there are quieter products.
The association asked to be engaged by town staff as they prepare recommendations for alternative light displays.
"We have worked with many municipalities across the country in requiring education as an additional tool for more enforcement and welcome the opportunity to work with officials in Collingwood," states the letter.
Coun. Chris Carrier was the lone councillor who voted against Doherty's motion. Council has not made a decision to ban fireworks. The decision was only to ask for a staff report at the 2023 budget discussions.
