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RUTH BONNEVILLE \/ FREE PRESS FILES<\/p>\n
Point Douglas Coun. Vivian Santos says the city should get serious about firework fines.<\/p>\n
In Winnipeg, people who set off fireworks without a permit can presently be fined up to $500. To legally use fireworks, individuals must obtain the permit, be at least 18 years old and set off the devices at least 100 feet (30 metres) away from all buildings and trees.<\/p>\n
In an interview, Gilmour said the exact number of illegal displays that were reported isn\u2019t clear, partly because one event can trigger multiple complaints. She noted \u201cvery few\u201d private homes have enough yard space to allow fireworks to be used legally.<\/p>\n
\u201cFireworks can be set off safely, if the guidelines and the instructions are followed,\u201d said Gilmour.<\/p>\n
While the colourful displays are a key staple of some cultural and national celebrations, such as Diwali and Canada Day, they can also create noise and fire hazards.<\/p>\n
Coun. Vivian Santos, chairwoman of community services, said she has received complaints of fireworks being set off around 1 a.m. or 2 a.m., while the displays can also pose a fire risk.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a safety component. People need to realize you should not be setting off fireworks in your neighbourhood because it can go (onto) somebody\u2019s roof and set (their) house on fire,\u201d said Santos (Point Douglas).<\/p>\n
In Winnipeg, the WFPS is only dispatched to fireworks calls if there is a risk of fire or injury. In 2025, crews attended 41 such calls and were not dispatched to 267 others.<\/p>\n
The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs recommended a ban on the sale and use of consumer fireworks in Canada in 2022 due to safety concerns.<\/p>\n
The WFPS report calls for staff to report back with new enforcement options in the first quarter of 2027 but does not specify the exact change that would be proposed. The report notes any ban on consumer fireworks would allow permitted professional fireworks displays to continue.<\/p>\n
The city could also consider firework free zones, such as parks. The report says violating either of those potential rules could lead to a fine of between $1,000 and $5,000. However, Gilmour said no specific option is being recommended or ruled out at this point.<\/p>\n
Santos said she doesn\u2019t support banning fireworks, noting they can be an important part of many celebrations, though she believes higher fines might be needed.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur fines are very nominal in Winnipeg \u2026 Maybe there is an opportunity to say if you do get caught and you are putting your neighbours at risk, a heftier fine might be a bit more of a deterrent,\u201d she said, noting Brandon allows a fine of up to $1,000.<\/p>\n
However, Santos said current WFPS staffing levels could make new rules difficult to enforce.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t RUTH BONNEVILLE \/ FREE PRESS FILES<\/p>\n Waverley West Coun. Janice Lukes worries the city\u2019s fire department is already stretched thin.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are quite challenged already with Winnipeg fire and paramedics, with the number of calls that they deal with on other issues,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n The owner of Archangel Fireworks on Pembina Highway said education must be the key focus of any new rules.<\/p>\n Kelly Guille said he doesn\u2019t expect the city to ban consumers from using fireworks and believes ongoing consultations between the city and industry members will help ensure any new rules make sense.<\/p>\n \u201cHigher fines are not a concern for me. That is really up to the governing bodies to see what they think could be a greater deterrent for people breaking the rules,\u201d said Guille.<\/p>\n Coun. Janice Lukes, who first called for the city to study how best to control fireworks, said she\u2019d like to see more responsibility put on those buying the products.<\/p>\n \n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t \u201cMaybe, if you buy fireworks, you have to take out a permit (first) \u2026 I\u2019d like that explored,\u201d said Lukes (Waverley West).<\/p>\n The councillor said she doesn\u2019t believe WFPS can devote more staff to enforcement.<\/p>\n \u201cOur fire department is very strapped. They\u2019re working at maximum capacity,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca<\/p>\n X: @joyanne_pursaga<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t Joyanne Pursaga Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Joyanne produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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