Right now, in Brantford, people are not allowed to burn safe open fires on their own personal property, under close supervision, within a safe area, with a bucket of water nearby. If an individual or group is caught having a bonfire or camp fire, they are charged an unreasonable fine and the fire department will come onto their property to extinguish the fire. Nearby jurisdictions such as Brant County, Paris, Norfolk, etc. DO NOT have this unjust regulation. Not only do I believe this is an infringement on personal property rights and an unfair dictation of what people are able to do on their own property, this rule goes against rights given to us by the Canadian Charter of Right and Freedoms.

The primary rights violation perpetrated by this bylaw is on our Freedom of Religion and Religious Expression (under Fundamental Freedoms). This law prevents the freedom of having peaceful religious fires, as a multitude of local and international cultures encourage the burning of fires for various ceremonies and rituals. Focusing on our large local Indigenous population, this rule outlaws several traditional Aboriginal and First Nations fire ceremonies. Fires are also used frequently in various acts of Hindu worship. The open burning bylaw goes against the preservation and enhancement of the multicultural heritage of Canadians.

The purpose of this petition is to bring this issue to the attention of the City of Brantford and Brantford City Council - and to have this unjust bylaw removed from our municipal rules.