Oshawa weighs new fireworks restricitions, including potential ban

Oshawa is reviewing its fireworks by-laws to add new restrictions on their use in the city. The proposed amendments range from isolating their use to several city parks to an outright ban on all fireworks in the city limits.

Currently, private fireworks displays are permitted in Oshawa during a select few holidays such as New Year’s, Victoria Day, Canada Day and Diwali. Displays are only permitted between dusk and 11 p.m. on these holidays. However, over the last year, the city has been studying how widespread the issue of illegal fireworks displays is.

The city also regulates the sale of fireworks, permitting sales only seven days prior to the specific holiday and the day itself.

Oshawa received complaints shortly after New Year’s regarding firework displays lasting “all hours of the night,” and that “Some nights it sounds like we are being bombed.” Of major concern in these complaints was the reaction of neighbourhood pets who can be greatly distressed by fireworks.

The investigation prompted three proposed solutions to the issue; enhanced enforcement before and during the requisite holidays, restricting fireworks use to local parks or, completely banning their use in the city.

The council has asked residents to weigh in on what they want the future of fireworks usage to look like through an online form. Forms can be submitted until noon on Nov. 3.