Image: Supplied by Pexels / There will be no fireworks show to cap off Canada Day festivities in Chilliwack on Saturday, July 1 because a fireworks contractor has advised the City of Chilliwack that it cannot obtain liability insurance for a fireworks show. The City of Chilliwack has already purchased fireworks, but will use them at a later date to commemorate Chilliwack's 150th anniversary.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

No fireworks on Canada Day in Chilliwack

No fireworks show on Canada Day in Chilliwack due to provincial fire ban

Jun 19, 2023 | 12:10 PM

CHILLIWACK — There will be no fireworks to cap off the Canada Day festivities in Chilliwack after a fireworks contractor advised the city that it could not obtain liability insurance for a show due to a province-wide ban on fireworks.

In a staff report from Carol Marleau, manager of recreation services and corporate wellness for the City of Chilliwack, Midnight Pyro, the city’s fireworks contractor, told city staff that due to a category 2 and 3 provincial fire ban, it was unable to secure liability insurance.

A provincial fire ban went into effect on Thursday, June 8 to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. This prohibition will be in place until October 31, or until the order is rescinded.

Midnight Pyro stated that insurance carriers would not cover any damages or injuries caused by fireworks if set off during a provincial ban or via contravention of any bylaw or statute. The prerequisite for liability insurance is laid out in a City of Chilliwack fireworks bylaw, 2021-5109.

In previous years, Marleau noted in her staff report, provincial fire bans were established in mid-July, meaning the ability to obtain liability insurance for events like Canada Day fireworks didn’t emerge as a concern.

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Since Chilliwack is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, city staff are recommending that the fireworks, which have already been purchased, be combined with other activities to celebrate the landmark occasion once the provincial fire ban is lifted. The fire ban is set to expire on October 31.

As a result, Chilliwack city council members are being asked to approve a motion at its meeting on Tuesday, June 20 that would see the fireworks used for another event once the provincial fireworks ban is lifted.

Last year, a provincial fire ban on fireworks and similar products went into effect on August 4, 2022.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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No fireworks show on Canada Day in Chilliwack due to provincial fire ban

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