No new fireworks bylaw in Cambridge for now as council opts to wait for more information

There will be no changes to Cambridge's fireworks bylaw — for now.

During a meeting Tuesday night, councillors voted to defer voting on a staff report that would limit the sale of fireworks in the city and the hours during which fireworks can be set off on particular days.

It was a 6-2 vote in favour of deferral, with Coun. Helen Shwery and Coun. Ross Earnshaw giving the thumbs-down.

If  passed, Cambridge would have followed in the steps of Kitchener and Waterloo, which have both decreased the hours when fireworks can be set off and have prohibited fireworks sales within city limits starting in January.

Councillors heard from Elisabeth Slusarczyk, manager of municipal bylaw compliance, that there were 79 fireworks complaints in the city in 2024 but no charges. There were four fireworks bylaw charges laid last month during the Victoria Day long weekend,.

Councillors heard from a number of people during the meeting about the proposed changes to the fireworks bylaw, some of whom were not Cambridge residents.

Coun. Mike Devine said he wanted to make sure residents were heard in the process.

"This is a very divisive issue. It's a concerning issue. I think the residents of Cambridge need to have their say," he said during the meeting. "This is a Cambridge issue at Cambridge city council and we need input from the residents and people of the community."

Shwery also raised concerns with staff that the bylaw would hurt independent business owners who operate the fireworks stands. She said she felt like people would just find other ways to buy fireworks, including online, that would drive business away from Cambridge businesses.

"That's what I see is happening here because people already like to order online. It's not going to stop people," she said.

"Why do you feel that closing down a small business vendor will reduce usage?" Shwery asked staff before being reminded by Mayor Jan Liggett that staff were not there to debate the issue, only answer questions.

Slusarczyk noted there are seven licences to sell fireworks in the city and all of them are add-ons to the businesses. As well, businesses are only permitted to sell fireworks 30 days out of the calendar year.

"We feel that this is not going to have that much of an impact on local businesses," Slusarczyk said.

Cambridge Coun. Adam Cooper moved the deferral and said he wanted to wait until staff brought forward a report on a noise bylaw, expected later this year, before making a decision about the fireworks bylaw.