Fireworks for Diwali? Some cities say light shows are a 'no'
Diwali, the festival of lights celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists all over the world, kicks off on Sunday.
The five-day festival often involves the exchange of gifts, prayers and food.
Fireworks are also synonymous with Diwali, but the rules for setting them off vary depending on where you live.
Below you’ll find the bylaws city by city.
The only thing they all agree on is that fireworks cannot be set off on public property, including city parks and schools.
KITCHENER
Fireworks are allowed on Diwali, Victoria Day and Canada Day until 11 p.m.
Fire permits are required for any other holiday. More info here: https://www.kitchener.ca/en/development-and-construction/fire-permits-and-inspections.aspx
WATERLOO
Fireworks are permitted on Diwali (or Deepavali), Canada Day, Victoria Day and the Lunar New Year (also called the Chinese New Year).
They can be set off the day of, and one day before or after the holiday, until 11 p.m.
The city also has several other requirements. They say they can only be “low-hazard” fireworks, such as roman candles, fountains, pinwheels, volcanoes or other similar pyrotechnics. Christmas crackers and paper caps containing more than “twenty-five one-hundredths of a grain of explosives” are not allowed. The person setting off the fireworks must also be aged 18 or older.
CAMBRIDGE
The city permits fireworks on Diwali, Victoria Day and Canada Day. Other dates or holidays require a permit from the city.
They can be set off between dusk and 11 p.m.
GUELPH
Residents are allowed fireworks on Diwali, Victoria Day and Canada Day. They’re also permitted the day before or after Victoria Day and Canada Day.
Fireworks can be set off from 9 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Any other holidays must be approved by the Guelph Fire Department. You can email facilitybooking@guelph.ca to apply for a permit.
STRATFORD
Fireworks are allowed only on Victoria Day and Canada Day, or the day after in the event of bad weather.
They are permitted between the hours of 8 p.m. and midnight.
Residents can seek a permit to set off fireworks on other holidays. They must do so 30 days in advance.
BRANT COUNTY
Fireworks are only permitted in Brant County on Victoria Day and Canada Day, as well as three days before or after.
For any other holiday (including Diwali), residents must submit a Family Fireworks Permit Application. Once approved, residents will have to pay a fee. You can apply for a permit here: www.brant.ca/familyfireworks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.