Whereas the misuse and abuse of fireworks causes property damage, personal injury, community disturbance and is a threat to first responders; And whereas a province-wide approach is needed for the safe manufacturing, transportation, retail, wholesale and use of fireworks: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the provincial government to regulate the use and sale of fireworks in British Columbia, including public education, enforcement, and transportation.
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Fireworks are federally regulated for manufacturing, importing and transportation, inclusive of reactive components, under the Explosives Act and its regulations. Provincially, the Fireworks Act regulates the selling periods and public use of low hazard fireworks also known as consumer fireworks. When the Fire Safety Act came into force on August 1, 2024, the Fireworks Act was also updated removing the requirement to obtain written permission from the Fire Commissioner, or the Local Assistant to the Fire Commissioner, to display fireworks. The Fireworks Act now reflects that fireworks may be sold to and discharged by a person or organization at a public display if the public display is held with the written permission of the local authority that has jurisdiction where the public display is held. The amendment empowers the local authority to control the public use of fireworks to meet their community needs.