Cambridge City Council looking to amend current fireworks bylaw
Posted Aug 29, 2023 02:51:15 PM.
A report to Cambridge City Council from city staff will request a change to the interim fireworks bylaw.
The calls from city staff have asked for them to be permitted only on Canada Day, Victoria Day and Diwali from dusk until 11pm. Similar bylaw changes have been made in the cities of Kitchener and Waterloo. The current bylaw allows a two day grace period for bad weather.
Nicholas Ermeta, the Ward 8 Councillor in Cambridge, said there will be public consultation through an online survey and open houses.
“When we hear more from the community, we can then decide if we need to make further changes or what the community would want out out of it,” said Ermeta on the Mike Farwell Show on Tuesday.
Ermeta added there will be an education component to explain to residents what the city expects from them.
“Sometimes you have to let people know how their actions affect others,” said Ermeta. “Other people have concerns, but there’s got to be compromises on both sides.”
The number of complaints have increased in the last few years, specifically during the pandemic. Most of them have come from them being set off in public places, such as schools, parks, and parking lots. Residents have noted that unsafe use of fireworks affects their pets and people who suffer from PTSD.
Another report will be submitted back to council in the second quarter of 2024. Tonight’s council meeting will begin at 6:30pm.
