Two people charged with improper sale of fireworks.
The illegal use of Canada Day fireworks in Mississauga this year has seen a significant jump from last year’s count.
The City of Mississauga recently received 63 public complaints over illegal fireworks usage this past July 1 – that’s almost double the 34 fireworks complaints received in 2024.
Charges were also laid against 2 individuals for the non-permitted sale of fireworks. The rising number of complaints, despite an “extensive public education campaign” leading up to Canada Day, highlights the ongoing controversy over whether or not the city should ban fireworks altogether.
In May, Mississauga City Council contemplated banning personal use fireworks throughout the city in response to growing complaints and concerns about illegal and disrespectful use.
In a report presented to council, city staff outlined three possible options: maintain the status quo, increase restrictions or institute a complete ban.
Compared with neighbouring municipalities, Mississauga’s current fireworks by-laws are permissive. Both Oakville and Brampton prohibit the sale, use, and possession of fireworks, while Toronto only allows personal fireworks to be used on Victoria Day and Canada Day.
Currently, Mississauga allows fireworks to be used without a permit on 5 designated holidays: Lunar New Year, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Diwali, and New Year’s Eve. They must be set-off only on private property that belongs to the person setting them off and they are only to be used between dusk and 11pm (or 1am on New Year’s Eve.) All other dates, times, and locations require a permit.
While overall fireworks related complaints have risen dramatically over the past several years, from 180 in 2022 to 602 in 2024, Mississauga City Council has deferred a decision on what to do about updating the by-law.
Although Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish was initially open about banning fireworks, after hearing passionate pleas from Hindu residents about the importance of fireworks for Diwali celebrations, the Mayor decided she needed more time to come up with a compromise.
At the May council meeting, many delegates and city councillors alike suggested that rather than banning fireworks outright, the city opt instead for a larger public education campaign about the responsible use of fireworks.
According to city officials, the city did implement an “extensive public education campaign” leading up to Canada Day, which included distributing handouts outlying safety protocols and bylaw regulations.
Public complaints over Victoria Day fireworks were also up this year over last, from 30 in 2024 to 52 in 2025.
