Backyard fireworks will continue to be allowed in London.
Council rejected the idea Tuesday of banning the sale and use of private fireworks displays in the city.
In a 10-5 vote, councillors decided to increase the number of days the colourful explosions would be allowed. City staff have been directed to draft a new bylaw that would permit fireworks in London on Victoria Day, Canada Day, Diwali, and Chinese Lunar New Year. Prior to this, Londoners were only allowed to discharge fireworks without a permit on Victoria Day and Canada Day.
While the city's South Asian community lobbied to add Diwali - the Hindu festival of lights - to the list during a public meeting held earlier this month, the London chapter of the Chinese Canadian National Council made a last minute pitch to add the Chinese celebration. Both the Chinese and Hindu have marked their culturally significant celebrations with lights for hundreds of years, Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis noted during the lengthy debate.
Where politicians did tighten the rules surrounding fireworks was with the licensed sale. Vendors will only be allowed to sell fireworks in London in the five days leading up to each permissible holiday, down from seven days.
In the face of an increasing opposition to fireworks that has ramped up over the past year, councillors had been presented two choices on the matter. The first option would allow Londoners to set off fireworks between dusk and 11 p.m. on Victoria Day, Canada Day, and Diwali. It would cut the number of days prior to events that retailers can sell fireworks from seven to five and increase fines for people who violate the by-law.
The second option was to completely ban the sale and the discharging of all backyard fireworks in London and increase current municipal fines. This option would still allow for city-run fireworks displays.
Proponents of the outright ban have argued that fireworks are noisy, disruptive, harm animals, and damage the environment.
Following a four hour public input meeting held August 15, the community and protective services committee backed option one.
The new fireworks bylaw will be sent to the community and protective services committee for approval once drafted - likely late this fall or winter.
In the meantime, councillors at Tuesday's meeting also agreed to suspend enforcement of the current bylaw during this year's Diwali celebrations on November 12.
