CITY COUNCIL – Fireworks to make comeback for Canada Day next year

Brushing aside concerns about the stress caused to animals, PTSD caused to some people, and potential fire hazard, City council today (Oct. 8, 2024) opted to bring fireworks back to Canada Day next year.

This was the first year that fireworks were replaced with a drone display, which proved popular with some but not with many others.

A report from staff said fireworks are more traditional and accepted by the public, are more visible because they’re higher in the sky, and are less expensive than a drone show.

On the other hand, they impact animals and potentially some people who experience PTSD. Drone displays can be cancelled at any moment depending on weather, and don’t carry a fire risk the way fireworks do, staff said.

A fireworks display costs about $20,000 while a drone show is about $45,000.

Coun. Bill Sarai wondered if the fireworks contractor could provide their own fire protection and what it might cost. He was told it may or may not cost more.

Coun. Margot Middleton wanted to know if either the fireworks or drone display had to be cancelled at the last minute, would the agreed-to costs still have to be paid, and Coun. Steven Karpuk asked who would own the fireworks if that happened.

Kamloops Fire Rescue Chief Ken Uzeloc said the first choice would be to hold the display the following day, although that wouldn’t be ideal.

He also said fireworks, especially backyard fireworks, are a major cause of injury and fires across the continent.

“Kamloops Fire Rescue is not against fireworks,” he said. “We are against consumer use of fireworks.”

Coun. Nancy Bepple said the cost of drone displays is very likely to come down over time, but proposed a return to fireworks be approved only through 2027. She got no traction on that one.

Dale Bass was the only councillor in favour of keeping drone displays in future years, saying she has a son who suffers anxiety for several days after a fireworks display.

A motion to “return to the traditional fireworks display” was approved 8-1 with Bass the only dissenter.