There’ll by pyrotechnics in District of North Vancouver council chambers this week.
District council has booked a public meeting next Tuesday (Oct. 12) specifically to hear from residents about the proposed ban on the sale and use of fireworks. The meeting starts at 7 p.m.
Under the current bylaw, fireworks may be lit only on private property, and between 6 and 10 p.m only on Halloween night. They can only be purchased with a permit granted by the fire department.
But the district receives numerous complaints about fireworks every year, most frequently due to noise, distressed pets and wildlife, and property damage/fire risk.
Last fall, Coun. Megan Curren brought forward a motion to ban fireworks, citing those same concerns as well as environmental damage and dangerous working conditions for people who manufacture them. Although council was divided on the matter when it was first debated, in their most recent discussion in July, most council members appeared open to the change.
The vast majority of Lower Mainland municipalities no longer allow for the sale and detonation of Halloween fireworks.
Under the proposed bylaw, discharging fireworks would result in a fine of $500. It also lays out fines between $300 and $500 for people caught selling them without a licence or throwing fireworks near buildings or flammable materials.
The bylaw does leave the door open for businesses or individuals to apply for special display event permits, but those must be supervised by a licensed pyrotechnician.
Tuesday’s meeting will be opened with a presentation from fire chief Brian Hutchinson before council will hear from the public.
A decision on the ban won’t be made until a regular council meeting at a later date, and no ban will come into effect before Halloween 2021.
To sign up in advance to speak to council, email [email protected]. Written comments can also be submitted to [email protected]. The meeting will be open to the public; masks are mandatory. The meeting can also be attended via Zoom or phone at 778-907-2071 with conference ID: 653 4532 1120.
