The City of Brampton is reminding residents that fireworks are prohibited ahead of Diwali celebrations next weekend.
Under the city’s fireworks by-law, the ban includes the use, sale, offer, display, purchase, distribution, possession and discharge of any fireworks or explosives.
The types of fireworks included in this ban include consumer fireworks, such as roman candles or ground spinners, display fireworks (rockets, bombshells, maroons) and prohibited fireworks (flying lanterns, cherry bombs, M-80s, flash bombs). However, sparklers are permitted.
The penalties for failing to comply is $500 for discharging or being in possession of fireworks without a permit, $1,000 for selling, distributing, displaying or offering for sale fireworks, $500 for setting fireworks off on private property without permit and $1,000 for failing to comply with an order.
The city can also issue a summons to require the individual to attend court where the fines range from $500 to a maximum of $100,000.
Back in Nov. 2022, city councillors approved a recommendation for a fireworks ban following hundreds of complaints. Instead, Brampton proposed implementing an annual city-run Diwali celebration with fireworks included. The ban came into effect the following month on Dec. 5.
Brampton’s annual Diwali celebration will take place on Nov. 1 from 4 to 10 p.m. at Sesquicentennial Park. The five-day event is known as the Festival of Lights and signifies the
triumph of light over darkness as observed by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists.
RULES REGARDING FIREWORKS IN THE GTA
Though Brampton residents are not allowed to set off fireworks on Diwali, those in Mississauga are permitted until 11 p.m.
According to the city’s by-law, residents can set off fireworks on their private property only on designated holidays including Diwali on Nov. 1. However, setting off fireworks on any other day besides the selected holidays would require a permit.
Meanwhile in Toronto, fireworks are only permitted on private property on Victoria Day and Canada Day. When it comes to Diwali, the city is reminding residents that setting off fireworks in one’s residence requires a permit and they can only be set off until 11 p.m.
