Don’t take away our family fireworks
Changes to fire code will all but end local shows
I love fireworks. In 2005, I worked as a professional on Alberta’s centennial-year fireworks show and helped place the pyrotechnics on the roof of the legislature.
I’ve done many such shows across Alberta. And like tens of thousands of other Albertans, I have also been part of much smaller fireworks shows; neighbourhood block parties, Canada Day at my sister’s lake, my nephew’s wedding in rural Manitoba, a last show for my father before he died.
I have spent a lot of time at our Edmonton shop, talking to customers and explaining how different fireworks work and look and how to shoot them safely. I have had so many people tell me how their party, family gathering or wedding was just a bit more special because of a small fireworks show.
But this past Canada Day marked the end of an era. Proposed changes to the Alberta Fire Code will make it difficult or impossible to legally purchase family fireworks, even though they could be purchased in any other province. And as local fireworks specialists, Uncle John’s Fireworks will be out of business.
We already send many customers away empty-handed because they happen to live in a county that doesn’t allow fireworks, even on private farms and acreages. I often hear how Internet retailers don’t ask for permits when selling fireworks to the same customers in Alberta. I know that. But we care about safety. We make sure each customer is 18. We check for fire bans. We explain what each firework will do and how to shoot it safely. None of that can happen online.
Every firework we sell has been tested and approved by the Explosive Research Division of the Department of Natural Resources Canada for use by families across Canada. The design and chemical contents of each firework is recorded with the federal government and retested from time to time. Family fireworks cannot contain dangerous or poisonous chemicals.
In Ontario, increased restrictions on safe Canadian family fireworks led to an increased rate of people bringing illegal and dangerous fireworks from the U.S., including fireworks banned in Canada such as firecrackers and overpowered “artillery shells.”
The government’s proposed changes to family fireworks don’t address any of the problems with Internet sales of family fireworks or illegal fireworks brought into Alberta.
Most counties want to continue to allow Albertans to shoot fireworks on private rural land without government interference or permits. And the cost of the new permit system and the drain on valuable firefighting staff is a burden they didn’t ask for.
What about our prairie neighbours? Saskatchewan and Manitoba have no permit system, and this has resulted in an extremely low accident rate. Manitoba reports just seven injuries caused by fireworks since 1980 and Saskatchewan does not record any fireworks statistics because the accident rate is so low. So what are Alberta’s statistics? The government isn’t sharing many details, but statistics from 2001 through 2010 recorded just two injuries — making candles about 100 times more likely to injure you in a fire than family fireworks.
There was no horrific accident or fire caused by family fireworks that has spurred the need for new regulations. There are tens of thousands of private family fireworks shows every year in Alberta with no reports of fires.
Albertans love the outdoors and their beautiful province. Family fireworks shows are a special way for us to celebrate with friends and families. I love fireworks and hope I can share that passion with my fellow Albertans for many more years. I hope Municipal Affairs Minister Greg Weadick will acknowledge Albertans’ responsible and safe use of family fireworks and not take this tradition away from us.