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'Fireworks ban?': Vancouverites react to noisy, vibrant fireworks displays on Halloween (VIDEOS)

Fireworks were banned for this year's festivities but you wouldn't have known it in the city last night.
Elana Shepert
Elana Shepert
fireworks-downtown-vancouver-halloween-october-31.jpg
Vancouver was supposed to be firework-free for Halloween 2021 — but you wouldn't know it if you were in the city on the weekend.Photo via @sandkatt / Twitter

Vancouver was supposed to be firework-free for Halloween 2021 — but you wouldn't know it if you were in the city on the weekend. 

While the lion's share of commotion happened on All Hallow's Eve, Vancouverites were privy to noisy, electric displays throughout the weekend. 

Numerous locals took to social media to share images and videos of the combustible theatrics in their neighbourhoods. The loud booms and crackling pops were heard at all hours. People shared videos of sparkling spectacles over English Bay, residential areas, downtown, and more. 

I’m not a huge fireworks fan either but we already banned them in Vancouver, and I’m begging us all to think just a bit more on *how* we would enforce that without…y’know, increased policing, or more-dangerous-black-market-products coming

— Jennifer 麻衣子 Bradshaw 🔰 (@amoralorealis) November 1, 2021

Vancouver fireworks ban

On Nov. 1, 2020, the City of Vancouver’s ban on fireworks came into effect. Amid concerns of an increase in the sale and ignition of illegal fireworks or pyrotechnic fans simply turning to the online market, the ban passed with a 7-3 vote at city council. Ultimately, comments regarding fireworks’ impact on wild and domestic animals, their propensity to set fire to private property, and the sounds of explosions being especially triggering for people with PTSD won out.

Several locals expressed that policing the sheer number of individuals using fireworks isn't possible, however. Instead, some of them commented that they should be allowed in specific areas of the city or in shows that locals could enjoy. 

While the new rule may be difficult to enforce, many people stated that they are dangerous and pose a risk to people and animals. The BC SPCA said that approximately 49 per cent of dogs are fearful of loud noises such as fireworks, thunderstorms and gunshots, while roughly 79 per cent of horses show anxious behaviour during fireworks displays. 

Other people commented that fireworks are responsible for many fires on Halloween weekend. In 2019, Vancouver Fire and Rescue reported over 360,000 worth of damages caused by fireworks. This year, however,  Assistant Chief Trevor Connelly told Vancouver Is Awesome that there were under $10,000 in damages as a result of them. 

With this in mind, many locals continue to support fireworks in Vancouver. For people who don't appreciate their noise, one local commented, "Earplugs cost less than a dollar." 

With files from Cameron Thomson and Chris Campbell.