Mississauga officials are urging people to follow fireworks rules during upcoming Diwali celebrations after receiving the largest number of complaints in the city’s history during last year’s religious and cultural festival.

The City of Mississauga received 432 public complaints related to Diwali fireworks celebrations in the days leading up to, on and after the 2025 Hindu festival of lights, which took place last October.

That number was the “highest in history,” Mayor Carolyn Parrish said at the time.

Diwali celebrations take place this year from Nov. 6-10, with the main celebratory day falling on Nov. 8.

“With Diwali approaching, the City of Mississauga is reminding residents who plan to include fireworks in their celebrations to plan ahead, know the rules and put safety first,” the city said in a notice to residents this week.

Under the City of Mississauga’s relatively new fireworks bylaw, family/backyard fireworks can be used on private property with no permit needed from the city only on Nov. 8 from 6-10 p.m.

Fireworks cannot be used on roads, sidewalks, in parking lots or on other public property, the city added, noting a permit is required to use fireworks on another day (other than Nov. 8) or hold a fireworks display at a city park or public place.

Extra enforcement in place

City officials also said they’ll have extra bylaw enforcement officers on duty during Diwali to enforce rules and educate people on the proper use of fireworks.

Residents are also being reminded not to call 911 about fireworks unless there is an immediate danger, such as a fire or injury. Illegal fireworks can be reported using the city’s 311 phone line or on the city’s website.

Diwali is one of five holidays during the year when people are allowed to stage backyard fireworks displays in the city without first getting a permit. Residents may also do so on New Year’s Eve/Day, Victoria Day, Lunar New Year and Canada Day.

The city also encourages people to be safe while using fireworks to mark Diwali.

“The holiday symbolizes triumph over darkness through colourful lights, candles, lanterns, diyas and fireworks. As preparations for Diwali are underway, the city is reminding residents to follow the fireworks bylaw, related rules and other safety measures when using fireworks at home so that celebrations are safe and enjoyable for everyone,” Mississauga officials said.

New fireworks rules in Mississauga took effect earlier this year and impact all holidays where residents and others use the celebratory devices.

Under Mississauga’s amended fireworks bylaw approved by city council in late 2025, residents can only set off fireworks at their homes between 6 and 10 p.m. on the aforementioned holidays/dates where permits are not required.

In addition, residents cannot use roman candle fireworks and the city is no longer allowing permits for consumer fireworks. Only permits for display or professional fireworks will be approved.

Several months after strengthening its fireworks bylaw last fall, Mississauga hiked the penalties — again — earlier this year for those who break the rules.

Stiffer fines for offenders

Bylaw enforcement officers can now dish out costlier fines of $500 to $1,000, depending on the infraction, to offenders on the spot. Previously, there were either no set fine amounts for many offences and for others a penalty of $125 was imposed.

The city’s “new, increased and escalating” fines took effect on May 1.

Last fall, in an ongoing attempt to beef up rules related to use and sale of fireworks, Mississauga city council strengthened regulations and public education efforts related to the celebratory devices. The reworked bylaw took effect in January of this year.

After lengthy debate and public input, council last October opted not to impose a full fireworks ban in Canada’s seventh-largest city, which was being considered, and chose instead to bolster the bylaw.

In late 2023, the city approved changes to its fireworks bylaw that took direct aim at those who most egregiously break the rules. Maximum fines for the worst offenders were increased from $5,000 to $100,000 — or more.


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