Proposed fireworks ban sparks vendor opposition

By Ted Colley

A Lower Mainland fireworks vendor says Surrey's plan to ban consumer pyrotechnics in the city is unfair and unnecessary.

The city is preparing a bylaw that would limit the sale, possession and use of fireworks to holders of a federal fireworks supervisor certificate. The change would essentially ban the consumer use of fireworks in Surrey.

Council approved the drafting of a new bylaw Monday after hearing a report from Fire Chief Len Garis. Garis said 60 fireworks vendor licences were issued in Surrey during 2004, bringing in $15,000 in licence revenue. In the same year, firefighters were called to 55 fires caused by fireworks at a cost to the city of $157,000.

Garis' report also referred to U.S. attempts to ban fireworks because of high numbers of injuries and fires.

John Rielly represents B.E.M. Fireworks, a Montreal-based manufacturer and distributor. Rielly also operates several Lower Mainland retail fireworks outlets during the Halloween season. He hopes to appear before council to argue against the ban.

"The fire chief's report used U.S. statistics that have no relevance in Canada," Rielly said.

He said a freedom of information request to the Fraser Health Authority showed there were no serious injuries caused by fireworks in Surrey during 2004. The FOI response notes only injuries requiring hospital admission are included; those in which patients were treated in emergency and released are not counted.

Coun. Gary Tymoschuk proposed a ban on fireworks in November and asked for a report from staff. He was less than enthusiastic about Rielly's argument.

"I'm always in favour of people having council's ear on issues, but I'm not doing cartwheels over this one. There are no positives in fireworks. We've got the evidence from resident complaints, the fires and the police calls," Tymoschuk said.

Rielly told the Now a fireworks ban would be unpopular with residents, particularly with ethnic communities who use them in various festivals and celebrations. He said a ban could lead to a backlash against councillors in next November's civic election.

"There's Halloween and right after that, Diwali. They're going to ban Diwali fireworks, then 15 days later, they're going to the polls. Political suicide made easy, I'd say," Rielly said.

Tymoschuk dismissed the comment as "ludicrous" and said he polled residents before proposing a ban and found opinion ran heavily in favour.

"The facts, I think, are substantiated. Not too much sympathy here."

posted on 04/25/2005