Fireworks By-law will be enforced Canada Day weekend

The City of Ottawa wants to remind residents that anyone partaking in fireworks displays over the Canada Day weekend should do so in a safe and courteous manner.

The City’s Fireworks By-law clearly explains the procedures around proper fireworks use.

Consumer fireworks may be discharged on the day of, day before or day after Canada Day. They may be discharged only by someone age 18 or older and only on private property with the permission of the property owner. The fireworks display must not cause danger or nuisance to any person or property.

Display fireworks, such as those on Parliament Hill and smaller-scale versions at public parks on Canada Day weekend, may only be discharged by someone over 18 who holds a permit issued by the Ottawa Fire Chief. Applications for these permits must be submitted 30 days before the intended display.

Firecrackers are prohibited from being used or sold in the City of Ottawa or Province of Ontario. Anyone selling, purchasing or using firecrackers within the City of Ottawa is in violation of the Fireworks By-law as well as provincial law.

Please review Ottawa’s Fireworks By-law on ottawa.ca for further details. If you know of anyone violating or planning to violate the Fireworks By-law, please call 3-1-1.

Fireworks safety

To minimize the risk of fire and burn injury, Ottawa Fire Services does not recommend family fireworks or informal neighbourhood displays. If you choose to have a family fireworks display, here are some important safety tips to be followed:

Carefully read and follow the label directions on fireworks packaging.
Keep a water hose or pail of water close by.
Discharge fireworks well away from combustible materials such as buildings, trees, dry grass and fuel containers.
Keep onlookers a safe distance away.
Light only one firework at a time and only when they are on the ground.
Never try to re-light dud fireworks. Wait 30 minutes and soak them in a bucket of water. Dispose of them in a metal container.
Keep sparklers away from children.

For more fireworks safety tips, go to ottawa.ca/fire.

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