Follow fireworks rules on Canada Day, city bylaw warns

Point a smartphone to the night sky and enjoy a three-minute virtual show

With COVID-19 moving official July 1 celebrations into cyberspace, the city is warning citizens to follow the rules on fireworks or pyrotechnics at (physically distanced) parties.

Meanwhile, Canada Day organizers are offering a virtual version. Under the City of Ottawa’s bylaw, fireworks can only be legally sold on Victoria Day and Canada Day and the seven business days leading up to them. They can only be set off on those holidays or the day before and after.

Firecrackers are flat-out forbidden.

A person setting off consumer fireworks has to be over 18 — or directly supervised by a “responsible person” over 18 — and on private property with the permission of the property owner.

They can’t be discharged in a building, doorway or vehicle or on a highway, street, lane, square or other public place or “in such a manner as might create danger or constitute a nuisance to any person or property.”

The consumer category include fireworks showers, fountains, golden rain, lawn lights, pinwheels, Roman candles, volcanoes and sparklers.

PERMIT FOR DISPLAY

Anyone who wants to mount a full-on “display” — defined as rockets, serpents, shells, bombshells, tourbillions, maroons, large wheels, bouquets, bombardos, waterfalls, fountains, batteries, illumination, set pieces and pigeons — needs a permit from the city’s fire chief applied for 30 days before the event and at least $5 million in liability insurance.

Revellers can also, as part of virtual Canada Day, point a smartphone or tablet at the night sky at 10 p.m. on July 1 for a three-minute virtual fireworks show.

“The augmented reality experience will give you the same visual and sound effects as a real fireworks display!” Canadian Heritage enthused.

Users have to allow access to their camera and other device features in order to use the application.