No more fireworks in St. Catharines for the remainder of 2022

Dogs and cats in St. Catharines just got the best news possible. The city has shut down both the sales and the setting off of fireworks for the rest of 2022.

St. Catharines residents were permitted to light consumer fireworks on private property on Victoria Day and Canada Day, including the day before and after the date of the holiday each year.

But over the last month, the St. Catharines Fire Services received a significant number of complaints related to fireworks.

“Our main concern here is the safety of our residents, beyond the issues of noise complaints impacting neighbours and pets. When people are setting fireworks off, embers and remnants of the fireworks are spreading onto their neighbours’ properties. The embers floating around have damaged roofs and can easily cause a fire,” said Fire Chief Dave Upper.

The City’s fireworks by-law prohibits the selling of consumer fireworks works without an approved permit and prohibits setting off fireworks on City property including parks.

Business owners currently selling fireworks will be ticketed by fire prevention inspectors and property owners may also be ticketed for setting off fireworks illegally in St. Catharines.

People can report any unsafe or inappropriate use of fireworks or vendors selling fireworks without a permit by calling St. Catharines Fire Services at 905-684-4311.