SUPPLIED IMAGE
A new bylaw to restrict recreational fireworks is back before council after trips back and forth to administrators.
A new bylaw to restrict recreational fireworks is back before council after trips back and forth to administrators.
First reading of a bylaw took place at Monday’s meeting and detailed that the sales of low-hazard fireworks would be banned inside city limits. Fines ranging from $250 for possessing fireworks with a permit to $1,000 for discharging them would be levied.
Major displays, such as the Medicine Hat Stampede or Canada Day celebrations, would not be impacted by the legislation, says administrators as those require permits, insurance and cooperation on the fire department.
The new restrictions, on items such as firecrackers, roman candles and other small-scale items, mirror what was in place before recent changes in national firecode that put the onus on municipalities to pass
Council directed staff to begin drafting the bylaw in June after requesting additional information from the Fire Service on it’s proposal last spring.
Fire officials argued that the restrictions are crucial to maintaining public safety, preventing injury and reducing the risk of fire in dry natural areas and coulees inside the city.
Several councillors stated they hoped to create a permit system so that regular citizens would not be in contravention.
Second reading of the bylaw is scheduled to take place on Dec. 2.
