Towards Freedom

Diwali fireworks advisory issued despite warnings it might be discriminatory
Mia Rabson, The Canadian Press, 23-10-02
At least two Environment Canada meteorologists warned that linking Diwali fireworks to air pollution in an air quality advisory could be perceived as discriminatory, internal emails show, but the advisory was still published. [The real issue is not whether it is discriminatory, but whether it is correct. Using culture as an excuse to justify harmful activities is just as harmful. Also see this article.]

Squamish Nation Fireworks Regulation pdf
Squamish Nation, 23-09-08
prohibited the sale, purchase, possession, and/or discharge of fireworks on Squamish Nation reserve lands of any kind effective November 1, 2022 … Council passed a resolution continuing to support the ban on fireworks sales, use and discharge on August 4, 2023.

Surrey homeowner sues neighbour after Halloween fireworks cause fire damage
Susan Lazaruk, The Province 23-08-28
The homeowner says his neighbour and an unnamed invited guest lit fireworks at a social gathering on Oct. 31, 2021, causing "significant fire, smoke and water damage"

Italian town becomes the first city in the world to switch to silent fireworks.
Animals Everyday 23-08-22
The first municipality in the world to totally transition to utilizing exclusively silent fireworks is Collecchio, an Italian town in the Parma District of Italy.

As much as B.C. loves its fireworks, some residents are pushing Ottawa to retire them
Chad Pawson, CBC News, 23-07-15
Whether fireworks are appropriate is an on-going debate between those who want pets and people sensitive to noise to be protected, others who see fireworks as costly and polluting, and those who want the traditional fun to continue.

A large explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Thailand kills at least 9 people
The Associated Press, CTV, 23-07-29 A large explosion at a fireworks warehouse in southern Thailand on Saturday killed at least nine people … at least 115 people were hurt, and that many were in serious condition … about 500 to 800 people who live nearby may have to be moved to a temporary shelter.

Coun. Hanson wants complete ban on fireworks in District of North Vancouver
Gagandeep Ghuman,North Shore Daily Post, 23-07-26
Every Halloween and new year, we get many complaints from people about fireworks. It’s upsetting to animals and there is an environmental impact from all the smoke and it's bad for the wild animals. I believe the time has come to focus on ensuring that everyone can enjoy Halloween.

The dangers of fireworks: increased fire risk in drought and decreased air quality
Amber Twardy, ABC57, 23-07-03
Although fireworks can seem like a harmless way to celebrate the Fourth of July, they're actually more dangerous than most people realize.

July 4th firework mishaps claimed lives and injured dozens
Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 23-07-06
These incidents are among nearly a half-dozen reported firework-related fatalities police and fire officials said have taken place across the nation during this year's Fourth of July festivities.

Is it time for drones to replace fireworks at Vancouver's Celebration of Light?
Gordon McIntyre, 23-07-04
Compared to the explosive kind, drones are quieter, safer, better for the environment and don't scare the bejesus out of pets.

Replacing Fireworks With Light Shows for the Holiday
Bonnie Riva Ras, Deputy Editor, Goodnet 23-06-30
Futuristic light shows are a better choice this summer.
[Although light shows are indeed a better choice, just how much better they are should be examined further.]

Hacking the Fireworks Firewall
prad, towardsfreedom 23-06-29
Ending fireworks frustration requires understanding the game.

Fireworks should be banned says advocacy group
Diane Strandberg 23-06-27
BC animal advocacy group says fireworks exploding in the night sky is an outdated and dangerous way of celebrating — and should be banned.

Council of Saanich Presentation Video
Lavinia Rojas Schultz and Ranjana Basu 23-06-12
[Lavinia @ 2:35 and Ranjana @ 12:30 spoke about why a fireworks ban should be implemented.]

Summer fireworks can traumatize pets and cause wildlife to flee
Kendra Coulter, The Conversation, 23-06-01
Animal caretakers, wildlife rehabilitators and fire services see firsthand the damaging — and sometimes fatal — effects whenever and wherever fireworks are deployed.

People got stupid with fireworks all over Toronto on Victoria Day
Jack Landau 23-05-23
Toronto's main fireworks display was held over Ashbridge's Bay, and police were out in full force to prevent a repeat of the chaotic events witnessed during 2022's Victoria Day celebration.

Petition started to reverse cancellation of Canada Day fireworks
Stephanie Babych 23-05-23
The petition, started by Common Sense Calgary, calls for city council to step in and reverse the choice to cancel the July 1st fireworks display. The group labels the decision as “nonsense.”
[The article also states that the ban attempts to address environmental and cultural issues. The pyrotechnic show is also friendlier to wildlife.]

Brampton bans personal fireworks ahead of long weekend celebrations
Global News 23-05-19
The City of Brampton enacted a ban on all fireworks last year. As Victoria Day approaches, Sean O'Shea reports on how locals feel about the ban.

Fireworks within CVRD still a hot topic; some directors want a complete ban
Robert Barron 23-04-26
Acton said the CVRD is way behind many large municipalities and other jurisdictions which have completely banned fireworks.

Crowd-Pleasing Fireworks Are Not So Pleasing to the Planet
Jessica Han, Global Commons 23-04-19
Fireworks are used to please crowds, celebrate big holidays, and end festivals with a bang – literally. But at what environmental cost? Especially when climate change has made its way to the forefront of the planet, it is important to consider the environmental impact of fireworks.

Victoria residents ask council for fireworks ban due to impact on pets
Ella Matte, Victoria News 23-01-16
Several Victorians want the city to enact a fireworks ban due to the impact of noise on pets and people with PTSD
[Meeting Minutes show that the 4 individuals were Lavinia Rojas: Fireworks Ban (D.6); Jen Dobell: Ban Fireworks for Animals, Environment, People with PTSD (D.7); Shon Shum: Banning of Fireworks (D.8); Teri Millis: Fireworks (D.9).]

Fireworks are NOT Inclusive – and Outdated in a Modern Society
Liz, The Fireworks Campaign UK 22-11-06
Many people are adversely affected by fireworks and yet society does not include their needs in the lack of regulation we have around fireworks. I remember a lady who got in touch with us, whose husband is a war veteran. He almost died in combat and she finds it so distressing to see him go clammy and shake when fireworks go off.

Delta police investigating fireworks-involved assaults after Halloween gathering
Black Press Media Staff 22-11-02
Police say hundreds of youth gathered on Oct. 31, causing property damage and targeting pedestrians … multiple pedestrians and first responders were assaulted with fireworks …young people were reported setting off fireworks for at least four hours

Fireworks are a Halloween tradition in B.C., but many cities regulate them
The Canadian Press 22-10-27
While some cities permit fireworks on Halloween night, many municipalities across the province have banned their use, including Vancouver, Kelowna, Coquitlam, Kamloops and Surrey.

Are Fireworks Really Important for Diwali Celebrations?
Jack Dutton, Newsweek, 22-10-22
Fireworks are a more modern phenomenon when it comes to Diwali celebrations … "They are not necessary, and the festival does not lose its significance in any way if they are absent."

How Fireworks Pollute Our Drinking Water
MCWEC 22-06-27
Air pollution is a well known concern with fireworks displays, but often overlooked is the impact lingering debris in air, water and land has on drinking water.

Edmonton firefighters want tighter rules on fireworks
Sean Amato, CTV News Edmonton 22-05-31
Officials with the fire department are concerned about accidental blazes and injuries and are recommending councillors ban amateur displays and only allow shows with professional oversight and paid permits.

Online petition urges city to ban private firework sales, displays in London
Colin Butler, CBC News 22-05-25
An online petition is urging city council to institute a ban on the private sale and display of fireworks inside city limits, citing safety reasons, pollution and people setting them off illegally in the weeks leading up to and after statutory holidays.

Private fireworks should be banned
Robert Barron 22-02-03
I was amazed that no cars had exploded, no houses burned down.

CVRD won’t ban fireworks; at least not yet
Robert Barron 22-04-18
District will invite municipalities and First Nations to participate in discussions.

CVRD favours fireworks ban, but worried about practicality
Robert Barron 22-02-03
Some directors want a total ban.
[Others aren't sure it can be enforced.]

N.S. horse owner calls for ban of consumer fireworks
Alex Cooke, Global News 22-01-10
A Nova Scotia horse owner is calling for the ban of consumer fireworks after spending another New Year’s Eve trying to keep her animals calm.

Managing PTSD during fireworks season
Emily Bashforth 21-11-01
While fireworks season can be an exciting time for many, this time of year can be really difficult for people with PTSD. Fireworks displays can be beautiful to look at, but the loud noises they create can be triggering if someone has trauma from an experience in their past. It's important we don't forget about people with PTSD during fireworks season.

Police say fireworks issues in the Valley need to be addressed
Robert Barron 21-11-19
“We see lots of injuries,” RCMP Insp. Chris Bear says.

Halloween fire costs plunge in Vancouver in first year of firework ban
Simon Little, Global News 21-11-03
Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services says the city saw a massive plunge in costs associated with the use of fireworks this Halloween, the first year the city’s ban on the sale and use of consumer fireworks was in effect … Over Halloween weekend in 2020, the service reported a total dollar loss for fireworks-related incidents to $408,000 ... This year, that figure dropped to just $5,500.

Vancouver authorities say they were too busy to enforce new fireworks ban on Halloween
St. John Alexander 21-11-01
Vancouver police and firefighters admit Halloween is often the busiest night of the year, and claim they just don’t have the resources to enforce the city’s new fireworks bylaw.
[Fireworks need to be banned. Lack of resources are often a problem, so the approach should incorporate an effort to make fireworks unpopular, much in the way that smoking has been made unpopular since the 1980s.]

It’s Time To Ban Fireworks
Jordan Reichert 21-10-31
Fireworks Diminish the Real Star We Should be Celebrating: Nature.

National government petition on fireworks launched ahead of Halloween
Vincent Plana 21-10-29
A petition on the House of Commons website calling for federal action against fireworks has gained the support of the BC SPCA. It was started by BC resident Lavinia Rojas and authorized by Laurel Collins, a Member of Parliament under the New Democratic Party.

Firework bans don’t work …
Michael Briones 21-07-12
Concerns raised in Regional District of Nanaimo regarding negative impact on animals … The Canadian National Fireworks Association official advocates education as a better solution than banning the sale and use of fireworks. [Note that CNFA is, according to their website "leading national voice to advocate on behalf of the fireworks industry" and works to "promote the industry through … Consumer Fireworks, Display Fireworks, …" blah, blah, blah. Their 'be a good-neighbor' schtick sounds nice, but is just warm-fuzzy deception.]

NHL goalie dead from chest trauma in July 4 fireworks blast
The Canadian Press 21-07-05
Autopsy finds Columbus player Matiss Kivlenieks died after firework tilted and fired toward people.

The Hidden Harms Of Fireworks On Wildlife And People
Alannah Hardcastle, Random Acts of Green, 21-05-24
You’ll want to change the way we celebrate special occasions when you learn the harmful effects of fireworks on the environment.

Councillor wants ban on fireworks in North Vancouver district
Staff Report, North Shore Daily Post, 20-10-14
District of North Vancouver councillor Megan Curren is bringing forward a motion to direct staff to ban the sale and use of fireworks, including smoke generating pyrotechnic devices by March 2021.

Fireworks can torment veterans and survivors of gun violence with PTSD
Arash Javanbakht, The Conversation, 20-07-01
For some combat veterans, the Fourth of July is not a time to celebrate the independence of the country they love. Instead, the holiday is a terrifying ordeal.

FIREWORKS
Lake Cowichan Gazette
A collection of articles/videos regarding fireworks usage in the CVRD. Some of the links here have been presented above.

The Trouble With Fireworks
blogger Nichole Sawatzky
[This blog article summarizes many of the issues surrounding fireworks discharges.]

What the Hell is Going on With the Nonstop Fireworks, Every Single Night?
Kevin Kinkead, Sports Writer
Loud bangs and explosions, beginning at 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. and going until midnight or later. It’s been everywhere in Philadelphia, and worse than normal. These explosions are bigger and louder and they’re taking place weeks before the Fourth of July, which is different from years past…

How fireworks can affect your health and the ecosystem
Maggie Macintosh, CBC News 19-07-20
Environmentalists are questioning whether minutes-long sparkly spectacles are worth fireworks' long-term effects on human health and wildlife.

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