After the first attempt to ban Halloween fireworks in the District of Vancouver turned out to be a dud, the fuse has been lit again.
Council voted 5-2 Monday night to advance a bylaw that would prohibit the sale and use of consumer fireworks, which are currently only legal from 6 to 10 p.m. on Oct. 31 with a permit approved by the fire department.
The previous council considered and ultimately rejected a similar motion in 2021, but Coun. Jim Hanson brought the proposal back, saying it “is long overdue.”
“I believe, based on my outreach in the community, that a fireworks ban is broadly supported by a majority of the residents of the district,” he said, noting the public safety and fire risks associated with them, disturbances to pets and wildlife, litter and other nuisances that district is concerned about. “I believe our community will collectively rest more easily when fireworks are banned in the district.”
Before council votes on the proposal, they will first hold a public meeting for residents and business owners to have their say.
Couns. Betty Forbes, Herman Mah and Catherine Pope supported Hanson’s motion to hear from the public on the matter, although some noted they were still undecided on the matter.
“I’m going to keep an open mind going into that public meeting and try weighing the pros and cons again,” Forbes said.
Mayor Mike Little and Coun. Jordan Back voted against Hanson’s motion – both stressing the ability for neighbourhood fireworks displays to bring community together on Halloween.
“It is inextricably linked to a uniquely West Coast culture. It’s not something you find in other areas,” Little said. “I think this has a value in the community that can’t be easily replaced and I think it is worth some of the risks that we’re talking about.”
The public meeting has not been scheduled yet but several people in the fireworks business, including local retailers, importers and lobbyists turned out to the meeting Monday to urge council to snuff out the bylaw.
“Let me be clear, I think as elected officials and public officials, you’re willingly creating an unsafe environment by creating an underground marketplace from a very legal and highly regulated market. Your residents will continue to seek out fireworks in other cities or online, delivered right to their door to celebrate their events or other cultural celebrations,” said Aleem Kanji, chief advocacy officer of the Canadian National Fireworks Association.
Regardless of what council decides, Muri cautioned that Oct. 31 isn’t likely going to be a silent night.
“I just don’t want the community have this false sense of security that they’re all going to go away,” she said.
If district council goes ahead with the ban, they will be joining the City of North Vancouver, which banned them in 2015, and the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), which passed a ban in 2022 after years of concerns from nation members.
“This year marks the first year of the complete ban. Selling, purchasing, or discharging fireworks on-reserve is no longer permitted. There are fines for violating these new regulations, and Squamish Nation Public Safety will be actively monitoring and enforcing the regulations, particularly during the month of October,” said nation spokesperson Wilson Williams.
According to District of North Vancouver staff, West Vancouver and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation are also considering bans.
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