Guelph changes rules around fireworks but votes down permit-based system [Video]

A long list of people lined up on Tuesday night to have their say about the City of Guelph’s fireworks bylaw.

The big question councillors were facing: should backyard fireworks be permitted within the city?

In a report, staff recommended the bylaw be updated to a permit-based system after collecting feedback from the public during multiple engagement sessions.

According to staff, 65 per cent of people who offered feedback were either unsupportive or very unsupportive of unregulated public and private fireworks.

The staff report goes on to say 56 per cent of respondents were either supportive or very supportive of a complete fireworks ban.

Several themes emerged from the surveys, including noise and environmental concerns and a call for stronger enforcement of existing bylaws and regulations.

Having their say

Many people came to council to have their say about the future of fireworks within the city. Delegates included community members, industry experts and …