Almost half of respondents were ‘in favour’ of a ban and more than three-quarters were ‘concerned’, but Whitby Council voted not to ban consumer fireworks.
In her lastest newsletter, Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy, said council voted June 19 not to support a proposed bylaw that would have prohibited the possession, sale and discharge of consumer fireworks in Whitby.
Instead, it opted to receive the report for information.
In 2022, two surveys were offered to gather public feedback about fireworks and their use for specific celebrations.
Of those who responded, 47.8 per cent were in favour of a consumer grade fireworks ban in Whitby, and 75.3 per cent were concerned about unsafe use of consumer grade fireworks as well as the related garbage and noise, the mayor said.
Sixty-eight per cent had no concerns with display-grade fireworks set off by professionals, facilitated by the town and 78 per cent were in favour of display fireworks at town events, she added.