[UPDATE NOV 6: We're producing a t-shirt as an homage to fireworks, and fireworks pop-up stores, in Vancouver]
FIREWORKS t-shirt, only available from V.I.A.
Spent fireworks. Shutterstock
Vancouver City Council just voted to ban the sale of fireworks in the City of Vancouver by 2021.
Two weeks ago they listened to speakers to a motion that will eliminate future fireworks celebrations in backyards (and front yards, and schoolyards) across Vancouver. You can read my column about that HERE.
Green Party Councillor Pete Fry presented the motion which you can view HERE.
While fireworks are a Halloween staple in this city, so is it a tradition that people will complain about them or go even further and try to get them banned.
This year things went a bit further, with Council putting a stop to them completely.
Councillor Dominato spoke to the media directly during the debate, saying that it was the "Most media we've had in [this] room [Council Chamber] since our inauguration."
Councillor Pete Fry spoke of his personal experience with PTSD, noting that "fireworks are no fun" for people with that affliction.
He also noted that "There was a time when we thought it was ok to smoke on a plane", making a point that fireworks are apparently a thing of the past.
Well they are now!
However Halloween fireworks have always been a part of the identity of Vancouver, and this will suck some of the life right out of our city which has already been hollowed out due to the affordability crisis.
Get ready for your Halloween to get less fun, Vancouverites who enjoy fireworks.
And thank Councillors Fry, Carr, Swanson, Boyle, Dominato, Bligh and Kirby-Yung for that.
Mayor Stewart, Councillors Wiebe and De Genova were the only ones who did not support a ban.
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This is Vancouver's Stupidest Politics Column. Read the archive HERE.
