Number of fireworks complaints ‘highest in history’ as Diwali celebrated in Mississauga

The number of fireworks complaints in Mississauga was the “highest in history” as people across the city celebrated Diwali earlier this week.

Mayor Carolyn Parrish said Wednesday at city council that at least 381 public complaints were received in the wake of fireworks use Monday and Tuesday nights during Diwali celebrations in Mississauga, that number the “highest in history” in the city.

Parrish noted those are the complaints she’s aware of and that “many more went to councillors’ offices instead of going through 311,” the City of Mississauga’s information/reporting phone line.

“There was also a fracas at the International Centre (on Airport Road in Mississauga) and at Drew Road,” several blocks north of the International Centre, also near Toronto Pearson Airport, the mayor added.

The city told INsauga.com on Wednesday morning it was compiling final numbers related to fireworks complaints and charges laid during Diwali, which was celebrated on Oct. 20 and 21. Those figures have not yet been provided.

During Diwali celebrations in 2023, the city received 97 complaints related to fireworks and five charges were laid. Numbers weren’t immediately available for 2024 Diwali fireworks complaints/charges in Mississauga.

Under Mississauga’s currrent fireworks bylaw, those celebrating Diwali earlier this week were allowed to set off backyard fireworks without a permit on Monday and Tuesday nights from dusk until 11 p.m.

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is one of five holidays/celebrations during the year when Mississauga residents are allowed to stage fireworks displays at home, on their private property, without first having to obtain a city permit. Residents are also allowed to do so on New Year’s Eve/Day, Victoria Day, Lunar New Year and Canada Day.

City officials said last week that bylaw enforcement officers were going to be out in greater numbers as residents celebrated Diwali, much like on other holidays.

City councillors decided on Oct. 15 not to fully ban fireworks in Mississauga, choosing instead to introduce stricter rules and strengthen education efforts. They had been considering a ban in the face of strong opposition from some members of the public.

Members of Mississauga’s Hindu community expressed concern earlier that a ban on fireworks would have been a form of religious and cultural discrimination that would impact in the years ahead their right to celebrate Diwali.

City council decided earlier this year to revisit the fireworks issue in response to a significant increase in the number of public complaints and challenges associated with enforcing Mississauga’s current bylaw.

Concern for public safety, given misuse of fireworks by some people that has led in recent years to numerous dangerous large gatherings across the city, was also cited as a major concern in a report from senior city staff that recommended a full ban on fireworks that would have taken effect next Jan. 2.

After debating the matter again, councillors decided to go against staff’s recommendation that fireworks be outlawed altogether, opting instead to put stricter rules in place moving forward.

One of the new rules, which will take effect at a later date not yet determined, prohibits the public sale of fireworks in Mississauga on the day of holidays/celebrations.