The Brampton city council has approved a ban on personal fireworks, preventing residents from selling and setting off fireworks.
The new ban, which was approved by councillors during a late public meeting Monday night, amends the city’s current bylaw to immediately prohibit the use and sale of fireworks.
Last Wednesday, Regional Councillor Dennis Keenan – who represents Wards 3 and 4 in the city – brought forward a motion to amend the fireworks bylaw to ban the sale and use of fireworks, as well as increase the current fines.
It was seconded by Regional Councillor Gurpartap Toor of Wards 9 and 10.
Toor told the meeting that councillors “heard loud and clear, even through the election campaign, about the issue.”
Until the motion passed Monday night, only short-range fireworks — ones that only travel three metres — were allowed on private property in Brampton on Victoria Day, Canada Day, Diwali and New Year’s Eve.
“As promised during my recent electoral campaign, I’m sitting on Brampton City Council to make change – to voice the concerns of our residents, and take action on issues for the betterment of our community,” Keenan said in a news release.
The fine for setting off fireworks will go from $350 to $500, while the fine for selling them will go from $350 to $1,000.
The film industry and city-run events will be excluded from the ban.
