Except on a few special days a year, Windsorites aren't allowed to buy or set off fireworks. But as the city's South Asian community prepares to celebrate Diwali, two local business owners say the Festival of Lights should be added to the list of holidays.
According to the Hindu calendar, this year's Diwali begins Oct. 31 continues to Nov. 1. It's the largest festival celebrated by Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities worldwide.
A handful of southwestern Ontario municipalities, including Chatham-Kent and Sarnia, have exceptions in place that allow for backyard fireworks during Diwali, referencing them as "additional special occasions."
"It's the biggest festival ... and in order to celebrate Diwali, people do decorate their houses, they fire up fireworks and they eat good food, sweets," said Nikunj Khadela, co-owner of SK Grocers at the corner of Wyandotte Street West and Cameron Avenue.
Craig Robertson, Windsor's manager of licensing and enforcement, says both the sale and use of consumer fireworks are not allowed — with exceptions for Victoria Day, Canada Day, the 4th of July and New Year's Eve.
"Should any organization or event holder wish to hold a fireworks 'display' they must first obtain permission from the fire chief by means of a permit," he stated in an email.
According to Robertson, any further exemptions to the bylaw would require approval from city council.
While the owners of SK Grocers acknowledge they don't have a permit, they say they're respectful of neighbours and it hasn't been a problem.
Khadela says Windsor's South Asian population that celebrates Diwali is growing, and their store is constantly busy — even more so in the days leading up to Diwali.
In advance, the store goes door to door and notifies neighbours about the fireworks, letting them know what time they'll be starting.
Gurpreet Singh, co-owner of SK Grocers with Khadela, said that in general they haven't had any issues.
"Everyone is co-operating, even they come to our store … and they enjoy the fireworks," Singh said. "Then they get to join a little celebration and we have a good time."They did receive one complaint that prompted a city official to come out, but he said they were just asked to wrap up by 11 p.m., which they were already set to do.
"They know that this is just one day and people are going to celebrate and there are a lot of people," Singh said. "But I would just request them to come with us, enjoy with us, and we'll tell them what a big day it is. So I think we can come [closer] together and have a good time.
"I think we should at least give an exemption for this one day."
The debate over fireworks during Diwali isn't unique to Windsor. In Ajax, Ontario, the Ajax Fire and Emergency Services (AFES) has issued a reminder to residents about firework safety during the celebration. Fireworks are permitted in Ajax to recognize Diwali on October 31, November 1 and November 2. However, AFES emphasizes that fireworks are inherently dangerous and residents must adhere to the Town's Fireworks Bylaw.
Fireworks can only be discharged between the hours of 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
"Fireworks can be dangerous and every year, people go to hospital emergency rooms for treatment of burns and eye injuries because of fireworks. If you choose to use fireworks, please follow the safety tips listed below." - Shelley Langer, Fire Prevention Inspector, Ajax Fire and Emergency Services
In Mississauga, residents are grappling with a different kind of fireworks controversy. While the city permits fireworks during Diwali, numerous complaints poured in about fireworks going off long after the 11 p.m. curfew. This has sparked discussions about enforcing regulations and balancing the celebration of Diwali with the need for community peace.
The City of Mississauga allows people to set off fireworks for the celebration on their property without a permit but only on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 from dusk until 11 p.m.
However, several people said fireworks continued until after 11 p.m. Thursday evening, some were set off in the early morning hours on Friday.
"Please understand that people have work tomorrow and need to wake up really early to catch the train," one person posted on a Mississauga Reddit thread.
"Still going It’s 12am!!" another person said.
Peel Regional Police told INsauga.com that they received one noise complaint call for fireworks in the Dixie Road and Rathburn Road East area around 1:30 a.m. The caller was referred to contact bylaw enforcement.
Between 11 p.m. on Oct. 31 and 2 a.m. Nov. 1, there were 49 reports of fireworks use submitted to the city, a City of Mississauga spokesperson told INsauga.com.
People should contact 311 for fireworks complaints unless there is a fire or serious injury. But even Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish acknowledged bylaw enforcement likely won’t be able to respond in time.
"Fireworks after 11:00pm are not allowed. Even with an exact address reported, they will be done by the time a bylaw officer gets there unfortunately," Parrish said on X.
The Bhartiya Cultural Society of Alberta temple in southeast Edmonton will host a Diwali celebration with a fireworks display, one of the four permitted events.
"Diwali is not about, doing fireworks at your place and waking up your neighbours, kids or pets," Arvind Aery of the Bhartiya Cultural Society of Alberta told CTV News Edmonton on Thursday.
"That's why we have fireworks here. Come here, have food. Do pray to the God and enjoy the fireworks here.
"If you want to celebrate Diwali with your neighbours, buy a small gift. There's a lot of Indian stores here. Give them gifts so that they also wait for the rally like we do. Not that they start hating Diwali."
The city says there were 54 fireworks complaints during Diwali last year.
The examples of Windsor, Ajax, Mississauga, and Edmonton highlight the ongoing dialogue between the celebration of Diwali and local fireworks regulations. While some municipalities have opted for stricter enforcement or limited permits, others are actively seeking to address the concerns of residents and create a safe and respectful environment for all.
As the Festival of Lights continues to be embraced by diverse communities across Canada, it's crucial for municipalities and residents to work together to ensure that Diwali celebrations are joyous, safe, and considerate of all perspectives.
