Kitchener, Waterloo pass ban on the sale of fireworks

Kitchener and Waterloo councils are cracking down on the use of fireworks by increasing fines, limiting when they can be used, and banning the sale starting next year.

The debate over fireworks usage was sparked by a significant rise in fireworks-related complaints and dangerous incidents that took place over Canada Day, Victoria Day, and Diwali in the past two years.

On Monday, local and regional fireworks retailers flocked to Kitchener council chambers to share their opinions about the potential ban.

“In addition to stronger fines, I think we need to keep this in the hands of specialized retailers who are long-term stakeholders and who are very fearful of losing their livelihoods,” said Tom Jacobs, a delegate and business owner who spoke at Monday’s council meeting. “They are very much looking to work with the city to curb these problems. We want to be part of the solution. We are as angry or more angry about people who act irresponsibly.”

The delegates noted that when banned, people looking to have private displays will turn to online retailers and unlicensed sellers to obtain fireworks all the same, and that those options don’t give professionals a chance to speak to would-be customers about the potential hazards of fireworks and safe operation.

A small number of delegates at the Kitchener meeting were for the increased restrictions.

“I have friends who are missing fingers. I have a mother who grew up in Nazi Germany, to the day she died she was terrified of fireworks, the light, the noise,” said Audrey Heutzenroeder, a delegate.

Kitchener Councillor, Bil Ioannidis, noted that he doesn’t believe this bylaw will solve the issue, but that given the number of complaints he’s received from constituents and the increase in dangerous incidents, he felt he and council needed to take some sort of action.

Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic has been vocal against the fireworks ban, and doubled down on that stance last night by noting that he felt the bylaw was an example of government overreach.

“I think we need to take strong action and punish those who are doing wrong, but I think that it’s not proper to punish good, responsible residents,” he said.

The majority of Kitchener council voted in favour of the bylaw, and it was passed. Councillors in Waterloo also passed their own, similar version of the fireworks bylaw.

In both communities, the sale of fireworks within city limits will be banned starting in January, 2026. Private fireworks displays are only permitted during short periods on the evenings of Victoria Day, Canada Day, and Diwali, as well as Lunar New Year in Waterloo.