Newmarket’s bylaw enforcement has issued no tickets for fireworks bylaw violations in the past two years, with six investigation files using an educational approach.
In 2021, the town dealt with 22 complaints, and nine so far in 2022 following the Victoria Day long weekend. The complaints resulted in three investigation files each year, according to the town.
All the investigations resulted in an educational or verbal warning, with the town saying it follows an education-first approach. But it indicated that bylaw enforcement would be doing more regarding enforcement of its bylaw.
“With feedback from the community, we see the trend is on the rise, and we will take a more proactive approach to enforcement by engaging with residents prior to setting off fireworks to ensure the town’s bylaws are adhered to. Repeat offenders will be charged,” the town said in an email statement.
Fireworks came into focus at the June 6 council meeting, when Councillor Christina Bisanz said she had complaints about them going off near the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex.
The town bylaw forbids fireworks in public spaces and only allows them on Victoria Day and Canada Day long weekends. But members of the public have expressed concern about rulebreakers and a desire for more fines.
Town manager of regulatory services Flynn Scott told Bisanz that officers investigate after-hours complaints, though there is an 11 p.m. cutoff where it gets referred to York Regional Police and Central York Fire Services. But he said officers could proactively monitor the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex where illegal fireworks use reportedly took place.
The town also encourages residents to contact customer services to register complaints while they are happening.
“Please provide clear details on the street address or known location where the incident is happening. This is very important information to support enforcement. Residents should not rely on social media to file real-time complaints with the town as social media channels are not monitored on evenings and weekends. If you see it happening – report it!!” the town said.
Newmarket resident Rick Butts has questioned the town’s fireworks policy for years and previously called for an outright ban. He said illegal fireworks at the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex have been a longstanding issue.
“Every year during the usual fireworks weeks, groups of people gather after dark on town property to launch fireworks over the homes of the nearby residents, threatening the safety and security of the local community,” he said. “Illegal fireworks are a problem.”
But he said he welcomes the town’s proactive approach and believes the municipality is taking good action now.
“Thanks to the leadership and determination of the local Councillor Christina Bisanz, I believe the town is now taking steps to address the concern of local residents,” he said.
The town said it would engage with York Regional Police and Central York Fire Services for any opportunity to “enhance the overall safety of our community during permitted fireworks events.”
“The bottom line is fireworks are not allowed on public or town property,” the municipality said.
