Reconciliation leads to a reckoning for fireworks displays on Canada Day

Chief Don Tom of the Tsartlip First Nation on Vancouver Island says he is known for “participating” in watching fireworks as a way to bring families together.

But on Canada Day, he would like people to mark the occasion in a different way, perhaps by donating to an Indigenous organization or taking the time to learn about First Nation perspectives.

Tom is among those pushing for a July 1 fireworks reckoning to consider what kind of message they are sending to First Nations communities.

Pyrotechnics are under pressure on other fronts as well, as the few minutes of awe they inspire are weighed against the cost, the fear they cause for some animals, the traffic and the overcrowded misery.

“I think there are different ways [if you want] to celebrate,” Tom said, adding that he hoped people would “dig in on Canada’s indigenous history.”

Activist group the Indigenous Foundation also says people shouldn’t buy July 1 fireworks and instead donate the money to Indigenous organizations or school survivors’ funds, an idea Tom called “a great initiative.”

“This can make a huge difference and has a meaningful and lasting impact,” the foundation says on its website.

Many cities, large and small, across Canada will host fireworks displays on Saturdays. But some have reflected on the necessity of the display in light of reconciliation and other concerns.

Calgary announced in May that it was doing away with traditional fireworks in favor of a “light and sound show” on stage.

“The city recognizes the cultural sensitivities surrounding truth and reconciliation fireworks,” it said in a statement, also noting that July 1 marks the 100th anniversary of China’s immigration law that effectively excluded Chinese migrants from Canada.

“For many Calgarians, this is a day of mourning or reflection,” the statement said.

Calgary count. Kourtney Penner said on Twitter that doing away with the fireworks “isn’t bullshit”.

“It’s being actively anti-racist, working for truth and reconciliation, and responding to the diverse community that is Calgary,” said Penner, who did not respond to requests for further comment.

The city also cited disruptive nighttime traffic, noise and overcrowding associated with fireworks.

But the plan sparked a swift backlash, with more than 13,000 people signing a petition to reinstate Calgary’s Canada Day fireworks.

The city backed out on June 18, announcing that traditional aerial fireworks would be part of Calgary’s celebrations.

Kristy Koehler, executive director of Common Sense Calgary, an advocacy group that organized the petition, said it was “weird” to equate fireworks with racism.

Koehler said people in Calgary enjoy the fireworks from all backgrounds, including many newcomers and those whose parents have emigrated from other countries.

“They said it was such a great way to feel [about] being part of the country, feeling connected to their neighbors, going out and enjoying something really beautiful and really fun,” Koehler said.

“We can acknowledge all the ways we are wrong as a country without canceling an event that brings people together and provides an opportunity for togetherness,” she added.

Fireworks research

Elsewhere, fireworks displays are scrutinized on a different basis: their cost.

Vancouver’s traditional display on the waterfront at Canada Place is no more after the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority decided last year to permanently halt fireworks on July 1.

“The fireworks themselves cost more than $200,000 each year for a 15-minute show, and other [costs] such as security, equipment and personnel continue to increase,” the authority’s spokesman, Alex Munro, wrote in an email.

Munro said the Canada Place Corporation had previously funded the event with support from sponsors, grants and partners.

Another perennial concern relates to the impact of fireworks on pets.

Lesley Fox, executive director of British animal protection group Fur-Bearers, said fireworks “cause havoc” for wildlife, pets and people living with post-traumatic stress.

She said fireworks can startle and disorient wildlife, causing them to flee the safety of their habitats.

“I think the message is, fireworks are not for everyone,” Fox said.

Fur-Bearers is backing a petition to parliament calling on the federal government to stop using fireworks at celebrations, citing the effect on animals, air pollution and the use of toxins in fireworks.

Aleem Kanji, chief advocacy officer for the Canadian National Fireworks Association, said fireworks are “ingrained” in Canadian celebrations, from sporting events to Halloween, and are part of the country’s rich fabric.

Canada Day, he said, was an “exciting time” for fireworks manufacturers and suppliers.

“It’s almost like Christmas trees around the festive holiday season,” Kanji said.

He said it’s important to consider how many people enjoy fireworks compared to the number who complain about them.

The display on Parliament Hill can draw a crowd of 30,000, Kanji said, and Vancouver’s annual Celebration of Light fireworks competition draws hundreds of thousands.

Fox said her group understands the “nostalgia” around fireworks, and they don’t want to be “party poopers.”

But, she said, there are more ethical and inclusive ways to celebrate Canada Day.

“Ultimately, fireworks are not necessary and replaceable. I think there is an opportunity here to investigate that a bit further.” [about] what could our vacations look like and how can we make them more inclusive for everyone, including animals,” Fox said.

This story was produced with the financial support of the Meta-Canadian Press News Fellowship, which is not involved in the editorial process.