Council last week endorsed tougher new city penalties on using fireworks without permission.
Although the city banned the use of fireworks, except with a fireworks permit issued by the fire department, 18 years ago, the community continues to experience illegal fireworks used by many residents.
The use of illegal fireworks in Delta last New Year’s Eve led to the premature death of a someone’s horse after the fireworks spooked the horse causing the animal to flee where it was enclosed. The horse was injured and the owners were forced to put the animal down.
That incident prompted council to instruct staff to report back on the city’s current fine structure for bylaw infractions on illegal fireworks, as well as recommend bylaw updates, particularly the use of illegal fireworks in proximity to livestock.
The bylaw updates include prohibiting the discharge within 500 metres of livestock properties, while the fines for all illegal firework activity will be increased to $500.
During council’s discussion on Sept. 9, Mayor George Harvie said the updates would only be effective if actively enforced. Council agreed to have a report back from bylaw staff.
The council report states that almost all firework usage in Delta is illegal. The city only issued five fireworks permits in 2023, but last year issued 24 bylaw offence notices for bylaw contraventions.
The bylaw updates will not solve all fireworks problems, but in the absence of a broader provincial or federal framework, they are the only tools available, the report notes.
The City of Delta has a motion at this month’s Union of BC Municipalities convention requesting the province work with local governments to amend the BC Fireworks Act and concurrently work with the federal government to address the online sale of fireworks.
Delta wants a consistent approach on the sales and permitting of fireworks to reduce the unauthorized and unsafe use of fireworks within the province.
