THUNDER BAY — Canada Day celebrations in Thunder Bay will remain fireworks free for the foreseeable future.
Louisa Costanzo, the city’s supervisor of cultural development, community programming and events, said the organizing committee has decided to stick with an end-of-summer fireworks show to separate the celebration from July 1 festivities, recognizing Canada Day can be traumatic to some residents in the city and surrounding area.
“We will be having fireworks, but they will not be on Canada Day,” Costanzo said. “They will be at the end of season. We are moving forward with a meaningful and thoughtful, inclusive way and decided that would be the best approach.”
The decision to cancel Canada Day fireworks arose in 2021, during the pandemic, after mass unmarked graves were found on the grounds of former residential school sites, reopening traumas for many Indigenous peoples.
“It’s a trend that we’re seeing across Canada,” said Alain Joseph, acting manager of Indigenous relations for the city.
“A lot of municipalities have changed the way that they do Canada Day. Our approach has been to be more inclusive, for example, of the Indigenous community. Not everybody in the Indigenous community celebrates Canada Day in the same way. We got advice from our elders’ council at the time and have taken this different approach.”
Joseph said displays depicting the culture and heritage of Nishnawbe Aski Nation communities were front and centre as part of Canada Day celebrations, which will go on as usual at Marina Park, from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. on July 1.
“For example, we had a sacred fire burning. It’s just a different way of doing things, a different way of approaching Canada Day. If we compare ourselves to some other communities, we’re quite a bit further ahead, which is interesting,” Joseph said.
“We’re working on some of the feedback we got last year.”
Costanzo said with any change, there are some people bound to be unhappy with the decision.
The fireworks decision was no different.
“I think it’s fair to say that anytime you make any kind of changes there’s going to be people that react in maybe a not-favourable way. But, it’s just working on our community in general and those events are made to be inclusive and diverse and bring our community together and maybe be community building,” Costanzo said.
“I think it’s important we consider everyone who lives here in Thunder Bay.”
Costanzo said they’ve added a second stage for entertainment and Canada Day goers can expect plenty of entertainment and activities for people young and old throughout the afternoon and evening.
Fireworks are permitted to be set off by individuals on Canada Day, though there are strict rules governing when and where they are allowed.
