TORONTO — The City of Brampton is moving to ban the use of personal fireworks for holidays after “significant growth” in complaints related to safety, noise and debris.

The city’s committee of council has passed a motion to immediately prohibit the use and sale of fireworks in Brampton, but it needs to be ratified by city council at a meeting on Monday. 

Mayor Patrick Brown says residents should be able to celebrate holidays safely, without disruption, excessive noise or debris. 

Short-range fireworks are currently allowed on private property in Brampton without the need for a permit on Victoria Day, Canada Day, Diwali and New Year’s Eve.  

Brampton says it will add an annual city-run Diwali celebration event with fireworks, similar to those on Canada Day and New Year’s Eve in 2023, if the new motion is ratified.

Environment Canada warned last month that “high levels of air pollution” were anticipated across parts of Toronto and surrounding areas due to expected fireworks for Diwali, prompting questions about why the major Hindu holiday was singled out – the agency later updated its statement to remove the mention of Diwali.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 25, 2022. 

The Canadian Press