The City of Surrey is asking the provincial government for a B.C.-wide “restriction” on possessing and using fireworks.
Councillor Rob Stutt presented a notice of motion to council on November 17, which was debated at the December 1 regular council meeting. At the outset of that meeting he sought to correct an item agenda that indicated he is seeking a ban, saying it’s rather a “restriction” he’s after.
Stutt noted that Surrey continues to experience “significant safety concerns” related to fireworks “including the potential for property damage and injury, noise disturbances and a strain on first responders.”
Despite the City of Surrey’s own bylaws restricting fireworks illegal use remains widespread, he said, “particularly around major holidays.
“The uneven regulations between municipalities contribute to confusion, inconsistent compliance and ongoing pressure on police and bylaw resources,” Stutt said. “Residents have raised concerns about injuries, impacts on pets and wildlife and the growing volume of complaints received annually. Therefore I move that council direct staff to prepare correspondence to the provincial government calling for a province-wide restriction on the use and possession of fireworks.”
Councillor Doug Elford said he supported Stutt’s motion as fireworks “seems to fill our inboxes every year during Halloween, it’s very challenging because there’s cultural issues tied to the fireworks but we’ve moved on in Surrey from burning school houses and Roman candles to some pretty seriously heavy duty fireworks that are out there and, you know, window-rattling type fireworks and many people that have pets, their pets are terrified and a lot of people fear for their safety out there as well.”
Elford said he likes the word “restriction,” because “groups should be able to do it as long as they have the proper permitting and process in place where the safety issues are taken care of.
“And we have our own fireworks of course on Canada Day right, as well, and that’s spectacular but this is something we really need to look at. It concerns me when local businesses are actively advertising the sale of fireworks on social media and whatever, flyers, and it’s something we really need to take a stand against.”
Mayor Brenda Locke also weighed in.
“I recognize too it’s nice if we can have fireworks just one or two days for Diwali and maybe Halloween, we have fireworks for those two days but this has been going on now sometimes for two and three months we’ll have to deal with fireworks in the fall and it’s pretty disturbing to a lot of our residents.”