Fireworks

If you use fireworks, you should be aware that you need different kinds of certificates for different kinds of fireworks. Fireworks are regulated by the Explosives Act and the discharge of fireworks in Sault Ste. Marie is regulated by By-Law 2013-146.

In Canada, fireworks are separated into three classes:
  1. Consumer fireworks are low-hazard and designed for recreational use and are generally available to anyone over the age of 18. They include items like Roman candles, sparklers, fountains, volcanoes, mines, and snakes.
  2. Display fireworks are high-hazard and designed for professional use. They include items like aerial shells, cakes, Roman candles, waterfalls, lances, and wheels.
  3. Special effect pyrotechnics are high-hazard and designed for professional use. They include items like gerbs, mines, comets, and crossettes, as well as special-purpose pyrotechnics made for live stage performances and the film and television industry.
You do not need to be certified by NRCan to use consumer fireworks, but you do need a permit to discharge consumer fireworks except for Victoria Day and the day immediately preceding and following Victoria Day, or Canada Day and the day immediately preceding Canada Day and the days following Canada Day up to and including the 5th of July.

For display fireworks or special effect pyrotechnics, you must be certified by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).

Sale of Fireworks

A special license or permission is not required for the sale of consumer fireworks and any retail store can sell consumer fireworks. The acquisition, storage, and sale of Consumer Fireworks is regulated by the Explosives Act and the guidelines can be viewed online.

The sale of Exhibition Fireworks or Display Fireworks is regulated by the Explosives Act and requires that the person selling fireworks be qualified under the Act to do so. By-Law 2013-146 requires that Exhibition Fireworks only be sold to a Fireworks Supervisor who is also a Permit Holder for the Exhibition Fireworks. The acquisition, storage, and sale of Exhibition Fireworks is regulated by the Explosives Act and the guidelines can be viewed online.

The sale of Pyrotechnic Special Effects Fireworks or Display Fireworks is regulated by the Explosives Act and requires that the person selling fireworks is qualified under the Act to do so. By-Law 2013-146 requires that Pyrotechnic Special Effects Fireworks only be sold to a Pyrotechnician who is also a Permit Holder for the Pyrotechnic Special Effects Fireworks. The acquisition, storage, and sale of Pyrotechnic Special Effects Fireworks is regulated by the Explosives Act and the guidelines can be viewed online.

NRCan Display Fireworks Manual

Application Forms

An Application for the Discharge of Consumer Fireworks must be submitted to the Chief Fire Official a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the event when the proposed discharge will occur. Please see By-Law 2013-146 for application requirements. A fillable PDF application form is available online.

An Application for the Discharge of Exhibition Fireworks, & Pyrotechnic Special Effects Fireworks must be submitted to the Chief Fire Official a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the event when the proposed discharge will occur. Please see By-Law 2013-146 for application requirements. To download a fillable PDF application form please click here. A fillable PDF application form is available online.

Please email your completed application form, site plan, and any other required documents to fire@cityssm.on.ca

If you have questions, please call 705-949-3333. Once your application has been reviewed you will be contacted to complete payment.

Contact Us

Phone
705-949-3333 (24 hours)

Email
fire@cityssm.on.ca
Email not monitored 24/7
For emergencies call 9-1-1


Fax
705-949-2341

TTY
1-877-606-6665

Location
72 Tancred Street
Sault Ste. Marie, ON
P6A 2W1

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