Calgary to have fireworks on Canada Day; Canmore cancels display

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Calgary will have a display of fireworks on Canada Day even as Canmore has cancelled its pyrotechnic show.

A spokesperson said the city is planning a full day of “family-friendly programming” in three downtown locations, ending with fireworks above Stampede Park.

“Safety of all Calgarians being the utmost importance, all Canada Day activities will be dependent on any emergency considerations in place at the time,” the city said in an emailed statement late Thursday.

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Meanwhile, the town west of the city has decided to celebrate the day without fireworks.

Canmore’s decision came six months after rogue fireworks were lit in the community, forcing elected representatives to reckon with their ramifications.

“It was felt that we needed to tighten up the restriction and the enforcement as well,” Canmore Mayor Sean Krausert told Postmedia, adding the restriction extends to the town’s residents.

The risk of wildfire is a major factor behind the decision. Another is the effects of noise on wildlife.

“We have to make sure that our policies are aligned with our commitment to coexist with wildlife,” Krausert said.

“(Fireworks) will still be allowed this coming New Year’s Eve but, following that, we’ll be looking for alternative forms of celebrating these monumental events and bringing community together in a way that does not involve fireworks.”

The town is considering several alternatives, including drone or laser light shows, outdoor projection mapping on buildings or other canvases, and interactive art and light experiences.

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A town councillor suggested the restriction might lead to a spike in violations among detractors. But the mayor said a fine of $5,000 would be enough of a deterrent.

Current fire ban, wildfires a concern

Earlier on Thursday, a spokesperson for the the City of Calgary said it would announce plans for Canada Day next week, while stating the most important consideration in green-lighting a display of pyrotechnics was the current fire ban due to an ongoing water crisis that might abate next week.

The risk of conflagrations also hangs over the province, especially following the worst wildfire season in the history of the country.

Alberta had an abnormally dry winter that was allayed by a wetter than average spring, Alysa Pederson, meteorologist at Environment Canada, told Postmedia.

Although towns south and east of Calgary, including Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, received twice the amount of precipitation in the past three months, the levels were either slightly above or below average in the western part of the province, Pederson said.

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Humidity in Calgary is at 36 per cent, which she added is a good sign.

“You start getting concerned when it comes to wildfire when that’s below 30,” Pederson said.

Fireworks had been cancelled last year before reinstated

The city initially cancelled the Canada Day fireworks display last year, citing cultural sensitivities related to ongoing efforts at truth and reconciliation with Canada’s First Nations, and the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Immigration Act.

However, the city reversed that ban following pressure from citizens and a motion by city councillors.

The story was updated with a statement from the city on Thursday at 6:32 p.m.

hmansukhani@postmedia.com

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