Brampton, — Bylaw officers in Brampton handed out more than $45,000 in fines during this year’s Diwali celebrations, as residents once again defied the city’s ban on personal fireworks.
The city prohibited the sale, purchase, use, and possession of fireworks in 2022, replacing them with sanctioned public displays for major holidays, including Diwali, Canada Day, Victoria Day, and New Year’s Eve.
Between October 17 and 22, the city’s bylaw department recorded 3,389 service requests, nearly 1,500 of which — 44 per cent — were fireworks-related, resulting in $45,200 in fines.
While the number of incidents remains high, city officials said complaints have continued to decline year over year since the ban took effect.
“We’re nowhere near the numbers it was before,” said Coun. Dennis Keenan (Wards 3 and 4). “We expect fireworks on major holidays, but the every-night-of-the-week fireworks have dropped significantly.”
However, Coun. Rod Power (Wards 7 and 8) said councillors were “inundated” with messages, calls, and social media complaints during Diwali, describing it as “a massive amount of complaints” from frustrated residents disturbed by late-night fireworks.
Bylaw director Robert Higgs told council that extra patrols and officers were deployed, along with proactive inspections of retailers to enforce the sales ban. He added that most fireworks activity has now shifted from large public spaces like parks and parking lots to smaller residential areas, making enforcement more complex.
The city’s website states that violating the fireworks bylaw can lead to fines of up to $500, while serious offences requiring a court summons may result in penalties of up to $100,000.
Mayor Patrick Brown, who led the original ban, said the policy aims to balance festive celebrations with public safety and quality of life.
“Our goal is for everyone to enjoy their holidays safely and without disruption, excessive noise, or debris,” Brown said when the bylaw was passed.