This petition is to limit the use of fireworks within the Town of Gander. I would like to say ban fireworks for various reasons, but I think the best way forward is by compromising.

While other municipalities in Canada and the US are calling for outright bans, I don't feel this is truly necessary as the sale of fireworks supports local businesses and brings revenue to the town during the Festival of Flight. People should still be able to enjoy themselves while watching firework displays without infringing on the health and welfare of their neighbors and pets. I believe a fair compromise of limiting the use of fireworks to certain areas, certain holidays and for limited hours of the day will satisfy the majority of town residents.

1) The loud explosions trigger veterans with PTSD, autistic people, anxious people, pets (primarily dogs and cats), farm and wild animals.

2) Fireworks are bad for the environment and the health of pets.  I have spent time cleaning up burnt paper and fireworks trash that falls from the sky into my backyard after neighbors have set them off. With two dogs who like to spend time in our yard, there is a serious threat to their health if they ingest the fireworks waste.

3) Fireworks at all hours of the night can disturb the sleep of many people who need to work the following day.

4) Fireworks are being used in small backyards throughout the town, close to structures and homes that can easily be damaged.

Please sign this petition if you believe that the Town of Gander should  enforce stricter rules with regards to fireworks by limiting their use to major holidays such as Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, New Years and the Festival of Flight.

Fireworks should only be used between the hours of 9 and 11 pm on these days, except for New Years. For New Years eve, fireworks will be permitted between 11:00 pm and 12:30 a.m on New Years day.

This petition will be sent to the mayor of Gander and all councillors by Sept 2023.

Please see the links below for further information.

Fireworks and Autism​

Fireworks and Autism 2​

PTSD and War Related Stress​

https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/when-mia-went-mia-sheltie-puppy-finally-home-after-living-wild-in-the-newfoundland-woods-since-new-years-fireworks-scare-100821871/?fbclid=IwAR0-0FDVAc1YInCrDaiRzX54GvJn60fZNff1Jv7KlW0P7FKN4Gs-RWEsB3I​

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jul/04/fireworks-ptsd-fourth-of-july-veterans-shooting-survivors​

https://www.animal-ethics.org/how-fireworks-harm-nonhuman-animals/​

https://earth.org/environmental-impact-of-fireworks/?fbclid=IwAR3mhRio_huaJStLNoV9vGUXd4XiXNJ7Vc95shDVPNnTTeXkHW3m61WCyqk​

https://www.cp24.com/news/petition-to-ban-fireworks-in-brampton-reaches-nearly-9-000-signatures-1.6168843?cache=icnhvwvuoz​

https://www.change.org/p/nova-scotia-legislature-ban-consumer-fireworks-in-nova-scotia​

Post-traumatic stress disorder in the military veteran (va.gov)​

Opinion | Their war ended 70 years ago. Their trauma didn’t. - The Washington Post​

NIMH » Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (nih.gov)

My story: One of our dogs and our cat shake, pant, pace around the house and try to hide during the entirety of fireworks displays. Medication does not work as it is not only the noise, but the loud concussions as well. It absolutely breaks my heart. We spend "firework" evenings in an interior bathroom with our dog wrapped in a blanket, huddled on the floor with the fan and radio on, trying to drown out the fireworks noise. Our dog is completely terrified of the noise and explosions and he just shakes for hours on end. All I can do is just be there beside him and try to distract him. 

Thank you for taking the time to sign this petition.