Hastings Highlands Council is looking into how to limit the use of fireworks in the municipality.
Deputy Mayor Gregg Roberts has put forward a motion, asking staff to bring forward a report by next April to outline how to govern when fireworks can be used. Roberts says there are three main reasons he has put forward this motion; noise, pollution, and frequency.
Hastings Highlands’ noise by-law is in effect from midnight to 6:00am. Roberts say he hopes the by-law will be amended so it comes into effect earlier for fireworks.
North Hastings Fire Chief Pat Hoover says it would be best to introduce fireworks limitations into the municipality’s pre-existing noise by-law.
Hoover says this would also allow the municipality to limit fireworks to just a few times a year, like on Canada Day, New Year’s, Victoria Day, and Independence Day for the United States. Fireworks would only be allowed at certain times on these days.
Hoover also reminds everyone that a total fire ban supersedes this by-law. If a ban were in effect, fireworks would not be allowed at all in the municipality.