A less chaotic Canada Day around Victoria Park
Posted Jul 2, 2026 02:52:00 PM.
Last Updated Jul 2, 2026 03:16:08 PM.
The fear is always that we’ll see those disturbing scenes of years past when Victoria Park in Kitchener descends into fireworks-related mayhem.
Thanks to the efforts of local government and law enforcement, those scenes are becoming less frequent.
For the last few weeks, Waterloo regional police have been getting the word out that they would have a noticeable presence in downtown areas around the region on Canada Day.
Even with officers around, there were a few bad seeds using fireworks illegally.
WRPS told 570 NewsRadio around 8:45 p.m. that Victoria Park was closed over public safety concerns. Some individuals were setting off fireworks in the area.
Police addressed the situations and later reopened the park.
No firework-related charges were laid, but one youth was charged under the Trespass to Property Act for failing to leave the park when directed by police.
Local bylaw detachments were also kept busy with fireworks-related complaints.
Kitchener Bylaw, in a statement to 570 NewsRadio, said, “Between June 30 and July 2, Bylaw Enforcement responded to a total of 22 fireworks-related calls across the city.”
That marks a slight reduction in complaints as compared to the 27 received over the Victoria Day holiday in May.
The statement goes on to say, “Due to extensive preplanning and coordination between WRPS and City Bylaw Enforcement staff, groups of youth gathering in Victoria Park and later in the Gaukel Street/Halls Lane area were quickly dispersed from the downtown core.”
It concludes by saying, “The City of Kitchener thanks residents for abiding by fireworks bylaws and using public spaces respectfully. By doing so, you helped create a safer, more enjoyable Canada Day celebration for all.”
City of Waterloo bylaw wasn’t quite as busy. A statement from the city said it received six fireworks-related calls. No charges were laid.
The officers were busier in Cambridge. Manager of Municipal By-Law Compliance and Corporate Security, Cameron Lattanville, confirmed to 570 NewsRadio in a statement, “that between July 1 and July 2, 2026, we received 16 complaints related to fireworks noise. No fines were issued during this period.”
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