At the June 25 General Committee meeting, Huntsville residents Louise Hayes and Steve Thomas asked councillors to consider banning fireworks.
Hayes spoke passionately about the adverse impact fireworks have on both wild and domestic animals, the pollution they emit, and the impact on people, particularly those suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), as well as the risk of forest fires.
She also noted that fireworks have been banned in many other municipalities, which would be supported by the Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary and many other community members who, in a short time, have signed a petition presented to the municipality, which contains 89 signatures (according to the Town).
Hayes also suggested other forms of marking celebrations, like laser or drone shows, instead of fireworks.
Thomas told the municipality he comes from a law enforcement background and noted that some urban municipalities are seeing fireworks used as a weapon. He said the Town’s bylaw needs to not only allow staff to enforce usage but also enforcement agencies.
A motion was put forward to review the Town’s five-year-old fireworks bylaw. Huntsville Mayor Nancy Alcock said she could also get input from an enforcement standpoint from the newly created OPP Detachment Board.
Huntsville Councillor Dione Schumacher said she anticipates push-back from the community and wants to ensure public consultation will take place should the Town decide to ban fireworks. Both Councillors Cory Clarke and Bob Stone stated that while they would not object to feedback from the police services board, they do not want to see the existing bylaw changed, given that many people enjoy fireworks.
Councillor Helena Renwick said she would like to see other alternatives explored, and with respect to those who are triggered by fireworks and suffer from PTSD, she said the issue should be taken into consideration. She said she is in favour of revisiting the issue.
Deputy Mayor Dan Armour suggested that while the bylaw is being reviewed, specific zones can be examined regarding where fireworks are allowed. He said perhaps not in residential areas or short-term rental properties.
In the end, a majority of councillors, with the exception of Clarke and Stone, voted in favour of asking municipal staff to review the bylaw and return with recommendations.
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There’s a debate regarding Fireworks that rages on, and I believe if everyone that objected to the ban proposal, knew the facts, they would be able to make a practical and safe decision, not to mention, hopefully compassionate one for others.
While speaking to a professional pyrotechnic and laser expert, he was explaining to me that he would not be near any large firework displays himself because of the danger of the carcinogens in the fireworks. The toxins are in the air that we breath and absorbed in our land and water for upwards of 2 weeks. He also said that most ingredients are sourced from China.
Quiet frankly, fireworks cause the death of the wildlife. Fireworks were held in the Huntsville area for Canada Day, and I found a dead, very pregnant deer, the next day. We know fireworks could have been the cause as its well established they do kill.
Fireworks terrorize domestic animals, cause them to get lost and killed due to the stress from the noise. People with PTSD can be triggered by Fireworks, which for them is horrific and completely unnecessary.
There are great alternatives with drones and lasers that don’t kill or pollute. Many communities have turned to these safer alternatives already. Example (Science North, Sudbury, three hundred drones on display), apparently sponsored by CAA.).
Check Canadian air quality on July 4th, 2025, caused by the USA fireworks displays.
With all the knowledge we now have with regards to all the dangers of Fireworks, why are we still doing this incredibly destructive practice. It’s just like seatbelts and smoking; people weren’t happy until they figured out it saves lives.
Fireworks are dangerous and destructive. Let’s not hurt ourselves, the wildlife and environment, when there are safe alternatives available.
Respectfully
Louise Hayes
This topic was addressed in this forum many years ago and I copy and paste what I said back then. Read the award winning article. Even the new generations in China, which had a long tradition of using fireworks, are no longer using fireworks in their celebrations.
Brenda Laking says:
July 23, 2019 at 6:29 pm
A group of people is being left out of this discussion, those who make the fireworks. Read the article The Rockets’ Red Glare, by Kathleen McLaughlin and Noy Thrupkaew (https://slate.com/business/2016/07/china-makes-most-of-the-worlds-fireworks-and-bears-most-of-the-danger.html). According to the article, the vast majority of the world’s fireworks come from China. And sometimes they explode early, with deadly consequences.
The authors of the article write that in China, fireworks making is the second most dangerous industry, behind coal mining. “Between 1986 and 2005, an average of 400 people were killed every year making fireworks in China, according to official data published in Chinese media. But coal mines, where 931 workers were killed in 2014 according to Chinese government data, get far more attention.” … “In 2001, a blast in eastern China’s Fanglin village killed 42 people, most of them third- and fourth-graders, required to put detonators into fireworks as part of a “work-study” program to prop up their underfunded school. Another blast followed in 2009, killing at least 12 primary-school children in a fireworks workshop in Guangxi.”
If after reading the article, a person decides not to purchase fireworks anymore, are they being politically correct or just being a person with a conscience. We are a global economy and should be a global community? Yes Hugh, Don’t Forget the Children … of Fanglin and Guangxi.
There is no “common sense” argument for purchasing fireworks, eating shark fins, or driving a snowmobile over open water. We need governments to make laws, by-laws, bans and rules because there are ill-informed people out there doing stupid things.
I wonder if it is truly a concern about fireworks, or just preconceptions, prejudice and nonsense that is at work here with this desire for a ban. Some of the reasons to end the sound and lightshow seems at odds with facts. I have no pony in this race, since I have no real interest in fireworks. Don’t get me wrong. When I was 10 or 11, young, a string of ‘cannon crackers’ or 4 inch ‘bigger bangs’ was like owning gold. A dollars worth of noise and chaos at the touch of a match. Beautiful!
But when you tell me that a 20 minute display frightens the birds and the kitty, take a second to think about that. There may still be some birds fledging in July but not many. And kitty is the #2 cause of bird loss. Kitty is a killer. And a loose kitty is a threat year round.
We feel grateful when the cat does away with a mouse or maybe a rat. But if it’s a baby bunny, chipmunk or squirrel, well that’s not so good. Could that be straight bias? Likely.
I don’t think that loss of human life making fireworks is in greater proportion than other industries. We’ve heard of explosions in Georgia, but also the news has carried the story of child labor perishing in shops that sew cheap clothing.
I don’t know if many chippies or squirrels are out and about at 10 in the evening, but if it’s a foraging racoon, well it serves him or her right. Now that’s straight bias on my part. Some dogs are nervous around loud , unusual noises. but I imagine they would react the same to engine brakes on big trucks. And I’ve hunted with dogs that could care less about loud bangs. All part of their environment.
But the best comment was from someone who said the light show from their condo was okay, but not the noise. That comment takes us to the number one cause of the decline in bugs and birds and chippies and the rest. Habitat loss. Look around and see what we do to the land to build homes and houses and shops and condos.
Once the trees are clear cut, the land stripped, the rock pulverized and the remains bricked and vinyl and paved over, there’s not much left for the wildlife. The sound and noise from fireworks will last 20 minutes to half an hour.
Our assault on the land and all nature goes on all day, every day.
I would suggest dancing waters or something a lot Quieter than fireworks. I really enjoy watching the fireworks from Canal road, but am willing to give them up for the safety and comfort of animals and people who are frightened or disturbed by them!!
The Noise can be very intense and possibly harmful to some. Sharin
Yes, life is tough enough when you don’t have enough money to feed your family. If you have money to burn, why not donate it to a local food bank instead of buying fireworks that injure and kill the workers in third world countries who have to produce them? Giving can be a feeling that lasts longer than 20 minutes of so called fun.
Squeaky wheel gets the most grease. Keep everyone in bubble wrap and ban everything that people enjoy and the line ups will get even longer for anti depressants. This reminds me of kids who act out in class. The more they act out the more attention they get. I understand that some pets freak out to loud noises as I have one myself but to give into these groups of complainers is ridiculous and seems to be never ending. What is wrong with you people who want to deprive others of enjoyment. There is always something in our lives that can make us sad or irritate us due to someone’s actions but we can’t just ban everything. Life is tough enough.
Thank you Louise Hayes, how can I sign your petition? Reading a lot of the comments it seems that people are not aware that fireworks are an environmental disaster. It’s not just about fireworks terrifying the dog and people with PTSD. Far more it’s about birds abandoning their nests, the toxins and carcinogenic chemicals going into our lakes and waterways, wildlife being traumatized (fireworks are not at all like thunder). It’s not something that they ‘get used to’. There is a huge amount of information available online about how just plain awful fireworks are. We need to find another way to ‘have fun’. Many cities around the world have turned to laser light shows and given up the pyrotechnics. It’s insanity that cottagers are still allowed in the Town of Huntsville to have massive fireworks displays on our lakes. The chemicals are going straight into our water. And then there is the risk of forest fires. There are better, safer ways to be entertained. Again, Louse please DM me (I’m on Facebook). You have my full support!!! If enough people complain about the insanity of fireworks given what we now know about how harmful they truly are, maybe things will change.
Firstly, I guess all these people complaining, feel it’s ok to kill animals, traumatize pets, pollute waterways and land with chemicals that can cause birth defects, people with PTSD should suck it up and like smoking in restaurants and seatbelts, we are infringing on their rights. No wonder with all this entitlement the world is falling apart and BTW thunder does not even remotely sound like a firework display.
And threatening the elected officials, this is Canada, not the states.
Let’s ban having fun atogether. Are we going to ban thunder and lightning storms. Fireworks are enjoyed by hundreds if not thousands on Canada Day. Give Fluffy the cat a gravol and a sardine and put it to bed.
I read how fireworks are harmful to Muskoka’s animal population. I decided to ask a few of them . Across the road from my daugher’s place there are sheep so I asked how they felt .The sheep said when asked “baaad, baaad, baaad “. Then I asked the family dog how he felt and he said ,” ruff,ruff,ruff. The turtles that live down the road didn’t care ; they said it was all over by the time they got there .
Fears and phobias can be overcome with gentle, controlled exposure. I have overcome several of my own: snakes, dental work, nudity (posing for drawing classes), hitch-hiking across Canada in the winter months, getting into total strangers’ cars in remote areas, hiking at night and camping alone in national parks, and especially karaoke singing. That one was tough. Animals living near loud factories and construction sites get used to the noise and carry on as usual. Birds, squirrels, and deer foraging at the edge of the highway do not even look up when an eighteen-wheeler goes roaring by. When my cat’s eyes widen during thunderstorms or “invasions” by “strangers” I give her some love and maybe a little treat, and her fear is diminished with the reassurance that everything’s fine
How about a compromise vs a one set rule and posted comments which are more offensive than helpful. Fireworks by individuals/cottagers any time of the year should be considered as a banning activity. Lets leave pyrotechnics to professionals and those at home can go see the spectacle on days of celebration. Let’s eliminate personal fireworks shows, especially on evenings when there is no Canada celebration but rather just vacationing antics.
My daughter was at the Las Vegas massacre – front row. When she comes to visit and enjoy the serine environment, it is maddening that she has to be exposed to the trauma of fireworks on any given evening with no warnings or justification.
Surely a compromise of organized time/place could help resolve some of the issues, why not try and see what happens ?
Thank You Doppler Online for your detailed reporting on the June 25 committee meeting regarding the request to the banning of fireworks. Naming the councillors with their opinions regarding this issue & how each voted at committee is welcomed more information for ratepayers to keep in our minds in part in preparing who to vote for in the next municipal election.
I would like to see one of the councillors introduce a motion with a seconder to direct Town staff to search out all avenues to get the Vacant Empire Hotel property to making it a presentable & respectable looking site and when voted on ask for a recorded vote to see where each councillor stands. Thank You
John R. Earl. Huntsville
When you create a new law you create new criminals but it seems like that’s what some people want. It gives em a bigger soap box to stand on to hear the noises do a real vote send out ballets and see what happens we do live in a democracy
I just heard a plane go over my place. We should consider banning. Ban everything. Let no one have any fun cause it will always be offensive to someone.
Having posted one view, I read another that makes sense. If the noise is traumatizing animals what is Thunder doing to them. Can we ban that? I don’t think so just a thought
This is all in regards to a few unruly citizens who were setting them off at late hours of the morning, possibly intoxicated on non holidays. This is Canada Day we are talking about. Our country, our pride,
A tradition! Put it to a vote of the whole town and see who wants what!!
For gosh sake, Canada Day only comes once a year. If you do the fireworks in a safe manner, on your own property, (not in an urban environment) and let your neighbors know then is it really necessary to have another municipal by law?
They have plenty of by laws now that either don’t get enforced or are enforced so late as to be “not enforced”.
They also have plenty of by laws that you just have to give your head a shake to try to figure out why they exist at all.
It is a fact that there are some in municipal office who would be happiest to ban everything except the paying of taxes. They have this in Russia but they don’t seem happy their either.
i agree and while they are at it please ban Thunder and Lightning storms in Huntsville. These really scare our pets and all wild animals in our community.
Unfortunately, home and private displays( been to a few wedding receptions at resorts) are not always planned and announced and could be more than once a year. I am sure that the dark skies( which we have no trouble regulating) and the wildlife are not being consulted. I am also sure that many human neighbours are not informed of family celebrations next door, until they hear the sounds and their baby cries and the dog starts shaking. I have enjoyed occasional professional displays of fireworks and even the neighbours, but wonder if we infringe on others’ freedoms and peace and health with such noisy, smoky fun. Is this being a good neighbour?
I agree with Rudi Stade and others who find this debate hard to reconcile. A twenty minute tradition that brings joy to our town and beauty to the skies is at risk of being discontinued because a few individuals are worried about their dogs being traumatized? Wouldn’t it make more sense for those folks to protect the sensitive animals in their care by avoiding being outdoors during the fireworks?
People travel all over the world to see the northern lights which are spectacular which our silent. Finding a silent alternative to fireworks which other communities use like Brampton and Orillia laser shows would be perfect for all please consider using laser
I have already posted my views however, one more point to make- people travel all over the world to see the northern lights. They are breathtaking, but they are silent. We can find an alternative to fireworks that achieve the same.- light shows and laser shows same effects without the noise. Absolutely perfect for everyone.
Love the celebration of our country with fireworks. One hour a year should not be banned.
I really don’t know how this is a issue.. Just because some people don’t like fireworks that has nothing to do with the ones that do and as far as trying to ban fireworks give your heads a shake…. The town is over stepping again just to make some people happy with a ban on fireworks.. Well I don’t think so… This is just another attack on our rights and freedom.
Fireworks have been around for many years and a lot of us have enjoyed them very much. That doesn’t mean that as we grow and learn about the damage they cause we shouldn’t consider alternatives. Laser shows are magnificent and and don’t frighten wildlife pets people with PTSD and do not contribute to injuries and fires. Just like in the past smoking and not wearing seatbelts were standard, but because of things we learned changes were made for people‘s safety and health. This is not about feelings. This is not about taking away your enjoyment on holidays or celebrations. It is about Learning from the knowledge and experience that has been given to us from the experts, like Aspen wildlife reserve analysis of the chemicals and toxins in the fireworks and seeing the fear and anxiety in pets and young children.. We can
all still enjoy celebrating by looking at alternatives that are safe and consider the well-being of all.. I support a total ban on fireworks and hope our beautiful town can find a wonderful alternative that residents and tourist will love.. this has been successfully achieved in the city of Brampton and Orillia.
Maya Angelou was quoted as saying “when you know better then do better”. We know the harms caused by loud fireworks; on wildlife, pets and people. The digital light-show at the Lookout year last year was wonderful..and silent. Yes, fireworks are only 20 minutes but that 20 minutes can potentially harm another being. The compassionate response, with new digital resources available, should dictate the protocol..it’s a new world so get with it.
I suggest that sensitive pets and people stay inside for 20 minutes per year while the fireworks are happening, while everyone else enjoys this time-honoured tradition. If council is going to ban fireworks then they might as well ban thunderstorms also
The trend in politics has become a search for victims and how to avoid hurting their feelings. I am not interested in this type of politics.
For example, I love going to fireworks. I have gone to them on Canada Day my whole life. I Have taken my children and grandchildren to see them. Banning them would hurt my feelings. Let’s have a poll to determine whose feelings are hurt the most.
Let me help you decide. If the issue is about hurting some feelings, just move on.
I am also in favour of banning all fiewqorks period. I lost a puppy once, while I lived in kingston. Rhe young dog was so sacred he broke is harness in a dead panick and ran away. I found him 2 days later, thank goodness. He remained terrified of thunder storms the rest of his life.
Beside the fear in all wildlife, it is fire hazard. Not what we need in this climate change!
Talk about money going up in smoke!!!!!
I think we need to be more creative and the use of drones and laser shows are excellent ideas.
Remenber the days when everybody smoked and we thought it cool and drinking and driving was just funny? Until it was not!
Apparently there are noiseless fireworks ,which would eliminate much of the problem with fireworks – the noise. An online petition to ban fireworks, or even having petitions available in local stores would be great.