Skip to main content
City of Guelph Home
Abstract image featuring a central burst of pink and purple light radiating outward against a dark background, with circular bokeh effects and a green border on the left and blue border on the right.
Unfortunately, you can't participate in this project anymore because it has been archived

Fireworks Bylaw Review

This consultation is now closed.

To learn about the engagement process and what we heard, please check out our engagement summary in the documents panel of this page.

Staff presented a report providing data-driven recommendations to the Committee of the Whole on October 1, 2024. and the updated Fireworks Bylaw was adopted in 2025.

Do we need to update our Fireworks bylaw? Community feedback has been a big part of this decision!

We’re reviewing our Fireworks bylaw to see if it’s still meeting Guelph’s needs for the use of fireworks in our city, or if it’s time for an update. We want to know if and how residents use fireworks to celebrate, and if there are specific dates and events that should be considered for firework sales and use or if their use should be restricted or prohibited altogether.

A big thank you to everyone who participated in this study.

We heard from 1325 people through our survey (which was open between May 7 and June 16, 2024), and dozens of other community members in conversations we had over the past few months.

We are in the process of reviewing everything we've heard and will share back a summary in the coming months.

Your feedback will help us determine whether we should recommend a change to the current bylaw to Council when we present to them later this fall. Watch this space and follow the project for updates as they are available 

About the Fireworks bylaw review

The current Fireworks bylaw, last updated in 2013, permits fireworks for Victoria Day, Canada Day and Diwali celebrations. To learn more about current fireworks in Guelph, visit guelph.ca/fireworks.

While fireworks can be a fun and exciting way to celebrate milestones and events, there are safety, environmental, property damage and disruption considerations to be made, including:

  • the potential for fires, injury and property damage,
  • environmental concerns from chemicals and waste, and
  • disruption to wildlife, pets, and those with sensitivity to loud noises.

Our team is trying to find the right balance for Guelph. Your feedback will be used in combination with research and best practices from other communities along with guidance from the Guelph Fire Department to update our Fireworks By-law with an expected launch early in 2025.

Please note: This project began in an older version of our website. Some of the tools and information may appear different than originally designed.

You're viewing real-time data. Participant counts are continuously updated for administrators. Please note that regular users see cached data, which may result in slight differences in the numbers.

Who's Listening

James Parr headshot needed

James Parr, Service Performance Development Analyst

james.parr@guelph.ca

Tracy Suerich

Tracy Suerich, Community Engagement Advisor, City of Guelph

tracy.suerich@guelph.ca

Phases

Phases overview
Survey and community conversations
Under review
Final report

Survey and community conversations

April 1, 2024 - June 16, 2024

A big thank you to everyone who participated in this study.

We heard from 1325 people through our survey (which was open between May 7 and June 16, 2024), and dozens of other community members in conversations we had over the past few months.

Community conversations:

We hosted two community engagement meetings: one held in person at West End Community Centre on May 30, 2024, and one virtual meeting on May 15, 2024. These meetings aimed to gauge the community’s views on fireworks and how the current bylaw can be improved.

We also had a booth at the Guelph Multicultural Festival that ran from June 13 to June 15, 2024, to hear from the community, distribute the survey and promote engagement activities. and

We interviewed leaders with specific organizations in the community to gain a greater understanding, including:

  • Guelph Sikh Society
  • Guelph Humane Society
  • Guelph Chinese Canadian Cultural Group
  • Guelph Youth Council
  • Guelph Police, and
  • Guelph Fire Department