The Canadian National Fireworks Association official advocates education as a better solution than banning the sale and use of fireworks.
Perry Logan, executive director of the CNFA, said he understands the concerns raised by residents in the Regional District of Nanaimo over potential reckless discharge of fireworks having a negative impact on pets and farm animals. But heB次元官网网址檚 not in favour of a ban.
B次元官网网址淏anning doesnB次元官网网址檛 work,B次元官网网址� said Logan. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e banned in Nanaimo. How is that working?B次元官网网址�
Logan, who indicated he grew up in Nanaimo, said people can simply access fireworks by purchasing them online or in communities where theyB次元官网网址檙e allowed to be sold.
To help address this situation, the CNFA, which respresents fireworks manufacturers, distributors and retailers across the country, introduced an action plan similar to the SmartServe program in the alcohol industry, that it first implemented in Ontario and is now bringing to British Columbia. It would require educating retailers like the vendors and their staff to be properly trained on all federal and provincial regulations as well as municipal bylaws.
The CNFA has also been promoting B次元官网网址淏e a Good NeighbourB次元官网网址� program, a family fire safety pamphlet that promotes enjoyable use of fireworks safely while respecting neighbours, the environment and animals.
The RDN board recently reviewed a report presented by staff last month and it highlihted the difficulty in enforcing a ban on discharge of fireworks in electoral areas under its jurisdiction. Logan said B次元官网网址渋tB次元官网网址檚 impossible.B次元官网网址�
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B次元官网网址淭oronto has 1,500 parks and 250 bylaw officers who are not out all at the same time,B次元官网网址� said Logan. B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 get any satisfaction when bad things happen. We donB次元官网网址檛 like that.B次元官网网址�
Logan said he has sent letters to the RDN board of directors and is still waiting for a reply. He explained educating retailers and the public has been an effective approach.
B次元官网网址淚t is working,B次元官网网址� said Logan. B次元官网网址淥ur recommendation to the RDN will be two things. Number one, that they require anyone that sells fireworks in a retail location must be certified through the CNFA education program, which is based on federal regulations, codes and municipal bylaws.
B次元官网网址淪tep two is the B次元官网网址楤e A Good NeighbourB次元官网网址� program. ItB次元官网网址檚 already a requirement from the safety side thatB次元官网网址檚 a federal regulation. I am not sure theyB次元官网网址檙e aware of that. So we make them aware of the tools that they already have.B次元官网网址�
Logan stressed they want to reach out to British Columbians and to the RDN and get the message out sooner before big Halloween celebrations, when fireworks are lit indiscriminately.
B次元官网网址淲e have shown that we are committed,B次元官网网址� said Logan. B次元官网网址淲e just spent a bunch of money in Toronto with billboards and radio to get it out there. B次元官网网址楪uys be a good neighbour. Be smart about this.B次元官网网址� And it did minimize the use. We absolutely cannot be 100 per cent because itB次元官网网址檚 impossible. But if we can stop one, two or three people we know we can stop a lot more.B次元官网网址�
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