Wellesley council amends fireworks bylaw to limit when they can be set off and where they can be sold

By Galen Simmons

Residents of the Township of Wellesley could soon be fined if they set off fireworks outside of designated times on Victoria Day, Canada Day and Labour Day after councillors approved an amendment to the township’s fireworks bylaw.

At their June 24 committee of the whole meeting, councillors approved the bylaw amendment that will not only restrict the setting off of low-hazard fireworks between the hours of 8 and 11 p.m. on just three days each year – Victoria Day, Canada Day and Labour Day – but also limit the sale of these fireworks to brick-and-mortar stores, thereby eliminating pop-up or roadside fireworks retailers operating in the township beginning in 2026.

“In late 2024, all six municipalities within in the region formed a working group to improve firework safety, and the focus was on the management of firework use, sales and enforcement,” said Wellesley fire and rescue service administrator Courtney Cook. “As part of this initiative, a fireworks safety survey was conducted through our EngageWR platform to gather input both regionally and from our local residents as well.”

In total, there were 3,739 responses regionally with 108 respondents from the Township of Wellesley. The top concerns from Wellesley residents who responded included the misuse of fireworks as a public nuisance, the distress of animals including pets, livestock and wildlife, and the risk of fire or property damage.

As part of the bylaw amendment, low-hazard fireworks displays are limited to the three-hour window on the specific day on which the three designated holidays fall. The August civic holiday has also been removed as a holiday on which fireworks displays are permitted.

“We just had the (annual Wellesley township) Backyard BBQ, and that was a great event that ended with a fireworks show. How would this bylaw affect an event such as that?” Coun. Derek Brick asked.

“That won’t change,” Wellesley Fire Chief Paul Redman responded. “We have low-hazard and high-hazard fireworks. So, any of our high-hazard fireworks, any clubs that want to have any events or that sort of thing, they still have to do the permitting through the township – that’s not being changed at all. … This is just for your consumer fireworks that you pick up at the corner store and do in the neighbourhood.”

Township residents who set off fireworks outside the prescribed days and times in the amended bylaw once it’s passed by council at a future meeting could be fined $500, assuming that fine is approved by Provincial Court.

The township will adjust the schedule of the township bylaw-enforcement officer to ensure coverage during permitted days and times.