Fireworks discussion returns to London with delegation to speak at committee meeting next week

The highly debated fireworks discussion is being brought to city council once again after summer break ends.

The highly debated fireworks discussion is being brought to London city council once again after summer break ends.

On Tuesday, July 26, the community protective services committee (CPSC) will hear from two delegates about the issues with fireworks in the city.

Londoner Deanna Ronson has been a strong voice on the fireworks issue, advocating for less explosive options, and said the purpose of speaking next week is to provide feedback on the city’s current survey regarding the issues.

“We’re actually thrilled that the city staff has initiated public engagement on the matter, and we do know that they will be reviewing the fireworks bylaw in the new year. We just have a group that has a few concerns that we’re hoping that city staff can start working on now reviewing some matters so that when it comes time to review the actual bylaw, we can hit the ground running in the new year,” Ronson told Global News.

Londoners can go to the Get Involved London webpage and fill out a survey giving feedback on an upcoming Fireworks By-law Review set for early 2023.

Ronson said her issue is that the survey does not allow for feedback on firework alternatives and that she wants city staff to start looking at other cities’ bylaws around the issue now, rather than later.

She and others are advocating for alternatives like laser light shows or drone shows in lieu of the traditional options.

“There are definitely other alternatives there. There’s also something called quiet fireworks that have the same light display as traditional fireworks with less gunpowder packed in and therefore less of that big bang that serves wildlife and folks in the vicinity.”