Residents advised to limit fireworks celebrations and be respectful of neighbours this Canada Day

Waterloo Region – Area municipalities across Waterloo region, remind residents to keep safety top of mind as well being a good neighbour when setting of fireworks this Canada Day.

Out of respect for neighbours, fireworks should not be set off after 11 p.m. After that time, the noise is an unwanted nuisance and is disrespectful to neighbours.

The Victoria Day weekend saw an increase in the number of complaints across the region from people concerned about fireworks being set off into the early morning hours.

To meet physical distancing guidelines, public firework displays will not be permitted and no public events will be held across the region for the July long weekend (June 30-July 3). fireworks cannot be set off in municipal parks, sports fields, streets, laneways, or on school board property.

Additionally, private backyard firework displays associated with Canada Day are discouraged to respect physical distancing protocol, as well as the possibility of tying up emergency resources as well as the risks associated with gatherings.

Residents are asked to consider alternate plans and to keep celebrations to those within their household. Please note that municipal by-law officers will be enforcing current public health restrictions.

While the fight against the pandemic is showing encouraging signs, the risk of spread of the virus remains and we need to be careful and avoid putting undue pressure on the healthcare system or emergency responders. Rather than traditional fireworks, we are asking people to celebrate creatively – access age appropriate fireworks videos on YouTube, or use glow sticks, observe physical distancing and celebrate responsibly.

On behalf of all local municipalities, John Percy, public education officer, Waterloo Fire Service will be delivering a fireworks safety presentation:

The Waterloo Fire Rescue Family Fireworks virtual presentation will be held on Tuesday June 29, 2021, 11:00am-12:30pm.

The presentation will be live via zoom:

Zoom Meeting ID: 956 5227 8295
Passcode: 312440

The Zoom meeting will also be recorded and it will be posted on our Google Classroom:

Classroom: Waterloo Fire Rescue Fire & Life Safety Public Education
Code: ckoh3rf

Follow-up questions may be sent to Mr. Percy at: john.percy@waterloo.ca.

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For more information on updated programs and services specific to each municipality, visit:

www.regionofwaterloo.ca
www.kitchener.ca
www.waterloo.ca
www.cambridge.ca
www.woolwich.ca
www.wilmot.ca
www.wellesley.ca
www.northdumfries.ca

Media contacts:

Susanne Hiller, City of Cambridge, hillers@cambridge.ca
Bethany Rowland, City of Kitchener, bethany.rowland@kitchener.ca 
Cari Howard, City of Waterloo, cari.howard@waterloo.ca
Michelle Poissant, Township of North Dumfries, mpoissant@northdumfries.ca
Grace Kosch, Township of Wellesley, gkosch@wellesley.ca
Kelly Baird, Township of Wilmot, kelly.baird@wilmot.ca
Rae Ann Bauman, Township of Woolwich, rbauman@woolwich.ca 
TJ Flynn Region of Waterloo TFlynn@regionofwaterloo.ca