ManitobaFireworks retailers are pushing back against calls from a city councillor to review fireworks regulations within the city because they believe any problems in Winnipeg should be blamed on a lack of enforcement, and not on the regulations that are already in place.Coun. Janice Lukes says she is becoming increasingly concerned about fireworks in WinnipegDave Baxter · CBC · Posted: Oct 05, 2025 11:09 AM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour agoWaverley West Coun. Janice Lukes has asked the city’s public service to compile a report showing how fireworks are regulated in other jurisdictions. (Rudi Pawlychyn/CBC)Fireworks retailers are pushing back against calls from a city councillor to review fireworks regulations within the city because they believe any problems in Winnipeg should be blamed on a lack of enforcement, and not on the regulations that are already in place. “We didn’t know there were any issues, there was no consultation at all, it just took us by surprise,” Matt Bialek, the co-owner of Red Bomb Fireworks and Blast-Off Fireworks said. “And the reason I’m able to say that is Winnipeg has a very robust system in place.”Bialek said he and others in the industry were “blindsided” this week when Waverley West Coun. Janice Lukes asked the city’s public service to compile a report showing how fireworks are regulated in other jurisdictions. On CBC radio’s Up to Speed Friday, Lukes said she is becoming increasingly concerned about the amount of fireworks she sees being set off in her area, and worries it is becoming a safety and possible fire hazard. “Basically they can cause fires,” Lukes said. “And I’m very concerned about the safety. I’ve got big safety concerns.”And I’ve also got concerns related to adhering to the rules of blasting off fireworks.”Fireworks explode over a city skyline during Canada Day celebrations on July 1, 2024. This week Waverley West Councillor Janice Lukes asked the city’s public service to compile a report showing how fireworks are regulated in other jurisdictions. (Blair Gable/Reuters)In Winnipeg, those who want to set off fireworks must get a free permit, and must set them off in a space with no less than a 30.5 metre clearance from any buildings or trees. Lukes said she believes many who are setting off fireworks in her neighbourhood and across the city are doing it without getting the proper permits, and without the proper clearance. “They occur in very small backyards and that’s concerning,” she said. Bialek said that the regulations currently in place should not be blamed for those who aren’t following the rules.”If anything it’s possible that the enforcement of the regulations on the consumer side may be lacking,” Bialek said. “It’s possible customers are trying to use fireworks in places they should not be, or it’s possible that the consumers don’t have a permit for the use of fireworks.”And that to me seems like a systemic or systems issue, an enforcement issue, an education issue. If anything, the enforcement and the education side of it might have to be toned up or tuned up by the City of Winnipeg.”He said he also doesn’t understand why this issue has suddenly come up, when he says he knows of “no major incidents” recently having to do with misuse of fireworks anywhere in the city.Kelly Guille, the owner and president of Winnipeg-based Archangel Fireworks Inc., also believes any issues with fireworks in Winnipeg come down to a lack of enforcement of the rules. “The industry of course believes that safety is the most important part of using anything, whether it’s fireworks or a kitchen knife,” Guille said. “And I think that what’s not being recognized is that there’s already regulations in place, and really what’s necessary is to enforce the bylaws that are already there. “And I think that’s a problem that Winnipeg has in all aspects of industry.”Lukes’ calls to look at fireworks regulations also comes weeks before Diwali, a Hindu festival held on Oct. 20, during which fireworks are often set off in several parts of the city. Anita Roy, the president of the Hindu Society of Manitoba, said she supports regulations on fireworks if they improve safety, but she doesn’t understand why the issue is just coming up now, after the dry conditions and forest fire season we experienced in the summer in this province. “So I’m just wondering why Coun. Lukes didn’t bring this up before Canada Day or Victoria Day,” Roy said. “Why is it coming up now?”Lukes’ motion will still need to get approval from the city’s community services committee before it can go forward with any review. ABOUT THE AUTHORDave Baxter is an award-winning reporter and editor currently working for CBC Manitoba. Born and raised in Winnipeg, he has also previously reported for the Winnipeg Sun and the Winnipeg Free Press, as well as several rural Manitoba publications.With files from Gavin Axelrod and Chloe Friesen
Councillor’s calls for fireworks review faces challenge from retailers
