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Staff Report
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Report To: General Government Committee
Date of Meeting: January 4, 2021 Report Number: LGS-004-21
Submitted By: Rob Maciver, Director of Legislative Services
Reviewed By: Andrew C. Allison, CAO By-law Number:
File Number: Resolution#: GG-027-21
Report Subject: Fireworks Permitting
Recommendation:
1. That Report LGS-004-21 be received for information.
Municipality of Clarington
Report LGS-004-21
Page 2
Report Overview
This report provides background on the permitting process for Cultural, Religious or Special
Occasions outside of the exempted days of Canada and Victoria Day.
1. Background
1.1 On the November 30, 2020 General Government Committee meeting, Committee
passed the following Resolution #GG-440-20 to the December 14, 2020 Council
meeting:
That Communication Item 11.4, regarding Request to Amend By-law 2015-047 to
include Diwali as an Exemption to Require a Permit, be referred to staff for their input on
the process to be followed
1.2 Current exemptions for discharging of fireworks under Bylaw 2015-047 are for the three
days preceding Canada Day and Victoria Day. A permit to discharge is required for any
days outside of current exemptions.
1.3 Currently within Durham Region, only Oshawa has an exemption for Diwali. Toronto
also includes an exemption in their By-law. Like Clarington, other Municipalities allow
for discharging of fireworks outside of the exempted days through a permitting process.
1.4 Diwali is a festival that is aligned with the Hindu Lunisolar Calendar; generally between
mid October and mid November. The celebration occurs over five days, with the third
day being the darkest day of the month and often associated with the lighting of
fireworks (Celebration of Light).
2. Discussion
2.1 Current permitting for the discharge of fireworks requires receipt of an application 15
days before the date of discharge. Dependant on location and possible impacts to
surrounding neighbors, a request to notify adjacent properties may be required prior to
approval.
2.2 The current permitting process is for use in any celebration, tradition or event that is
currently not exempted. Adding additional days as exemptions may result in complaints
from residents who do not observe these celebrations.
2.3 To date, Municipal Law Enforcement has not received applications for discharging
fireworks for Diwali. There have been a few inquiries in regard to discharging for Diwali
and individuals were advised of the permitting process at that time.
Municipality of Clarington
Report LGS-004-21
3. Concurrence
Page 3
This report has been reviewed by the Director of Emergency and Fire Services who
concurs with the recommendation.
4. Conclusion
It is respectfully recommended that this report is received for information and the
existing permit process used to accommodate residents that want to discharge
fireworks on Diwali.
Staff Contact: Duncan Anderson, Manager Municipal Law Enforcement, 905-623-3379 Ext
2110 or danderson@clarington.net.
Attachments:
Not Applicable
Interested Parties:
Pranay Kumar Gunti