Wawa Municipal Council's considering whether to allow a local store to sell fireworks.
In their Committee of the Whole meeting last night, Council received a delegation - via Zoom - from the Great Canadian Dollar Store, asking for the ability to sell fireworks - representatives for the company assured they're committed to sell responsibly, requiring people have ID proving they're 18 or older, with the fireworks to be kept in a locked cabinet until they're purchased, while safety brochures would be given out, though they also emphasized that the issue with fireworks falls more on enforcement of where they are used rather than where they are sold, as people could simply go to another community - nearby or otherwise - where they are available.
Councillor Jim Hoffmann noted he thought municipal by-law barred fireworks in town but he still hears them, Councillor Cathy Cannon acknowledged people can purchase them elsewhere but she wants to ensure safety measures are in place, Councillor Mitch Hatfield stated she wanted to read a cited federal law on explosives before making a decision, Councillor Joe Opato inquired about the reason for the municipal ban - believed to be noise, though unclear - with Mayor Melanie Pilon saying she wants to help the New Brunswick-based business, suggesting further investigation.
In the end, Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin - who is also Assistant Director of Protective Services, making him the By-Law Officer - was directed to prepare a report on the request, expected in time for the May 19th Council meeting.