SPCA wants to end fireworks
It’s a Halloween tradition in B.C. but, if the BC SPCA has its way, late-October fireworks won’t be around much longer.
The BC SPCA is petitioning the federal government to ban all consumer fireworks, as the celebratory explosives can be detrimental to animals.
The animal welfare organization helped write a petition to be put forward to Parliament by Victoria MP Laurel Collins.
The petition opened for signatures on Thursday and will close on Feb. 25.
Currently in Canada, consumer fireworks are regulated by a patchwork of bylaws that vary across the country — by province and municipality.
Though fireworks are permitted to be purchased and used during specific times of the year in B.C., some provinces, like Alberta, have banned consumer fireworks altogether.
This petition is asking the government of Canada to create permanent legislature that would apply to all provinces.
It also points to safety concerns around fireworks including pollution and fire risk, as well as the harm the explosives can do to animals.
BC SPCA chief scientific officer Sara Dubois said many humans and animals have lost their lives in mishaps and fires created by fireworks.
“Farm animals are particularly scared of fireworks and there's lots of reports from farmers who've lost animals as a result,” Dubois said.
“You think it's just one fun night for you, but it's actually having a significant harm on your community."
Dubois said she knows fireworks are a local tradition, but she believes residents can live without them.
“I think that that's traditions can change,” Dubois said.
“Traditions can evolve and, especially once you learn the consequences on others, I think we're learning more and more about how to be respectful of the community.”
Out of the 2,048 signatures the petition had as of Saturday evening, 1881 of them were from B.C.
The official government petition can be accessed here.
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