New rules for Canada Day fireworks in place in Mississauga: city

Mississauga residents who want to set off backyard fireworks to celebrate Canada Day in two weeks may do so without first getting a permit from the city — but only between 6 and 10 p.m. on July 1, officials say.

The reduced time window from previous years is one of the new fireworks rules City of Mississauga officials want to remind people of as Canada’s birthday is just around the corner.

Canada Day is one of five holidays throughout the year when residents don’t need the city’s permission to use fireworks on their private property. The other occasions are New Year’s Eve, Lunar New Year, Victoria Day and Diwali.

There are, however, several key changes to the rules this year for people who celebrate with fireworks on Canada Day and any of the other holidays/dates when such celebrations can take place on private property without permits.

Under Mississauga’s amended fireworks bylaw approved by city council in late 2025, residents can only set off fireworks at their homes between 6 and 10 p.m. on the aforementioned holidays/dates.

Also, the public sale of fireworks in Mississauga can take place only within a period of 10 days before the holiday, and no longer on the day of the celebration.

In addition, residents cannot use roman candle fireworks and the city is no longer allowing permits for consumer fireworks. Only permits for display or professional fireworks will be approved.

When celebrating Canada Day, remember to keep fire and fireworks safety in mind.

Fireworks are allowed at home, on your private property, on Wednesday, July 1 from 6 to 10 p.m.

Remember:
– You can no longer buy or use roman candle fireworks.
– It’s illegal to use… pic.twitter.com/i6RQMv7sEi

— City of Mississauga (@citymississauga) June 16, 2026

The city also notes people are not allowed to use fireworks in parks, parking lots, on public streets and sidewalks or property they don’t own.

To submit a complaint about illegal use of fireworks, visit mississauga.ca/fireworks or call 311. Do not call 911 for fireworks complaints, officials say, unless someone is injured or there’s a fire risk due to improper use of fireworks.

Fines for misusing fireworks or breaking any other rules related to the celebratory devices have also been increased in Mississauga.

Several months after strengthening its fireworks bylaw last fall, Mississauga hiked the penalties — again — earlier this year for those who break the rules.

Bylaw enforcement officers can now dish out costlier fines of $500 to $1,000, depending on the infraction, to offenders on the spot. Previously, there were either no set fine amounts for many offences and for others a penalty of $125 was imposed.

The city’s “new, increased and escalating” fines took effect on May 1.

Senior city staff said earlier this year the previous penalties “and enforcement mechanisms for fireworks-related contraventions” were not effective deterrents, “limiting the city’s ability to achieve sustained compliance.”

The changes adopted allow for “more immediate, predictable and proportionate consequences” that more effectively encourage compliance, city staff added.

Last fall, in an ongoing attempt to beef up rules related to use and sale of fireworks, Mississauga city council strengthened regulations and public education efforts related to the celebratory devices. The reworked bylaw took effect in January of this year.

After lengthy debate and public input, council last October opted not to impose a full fireworks ban in Canada’s seventh-largest city, which was being considered, and chose instead to bolster the bylaw.

In late 2023, the city approved changes to its fireworks bylaw that took direct aim at those who most egregiously break the rules. Maximum fines for the worst offenders were increased from $5,000 to $100,000 — or more.