Be a good neighbour this Canada Day

Help ensure Canada Day is fun and safe for everyone. Keep fireworks safety, fire safety and park etiquette in mind. (Pexels photo)

By City of Mississauga

Summer is officially here and the countdown to Canada Day is on. Whether you’re planning on celebrating with fireworks, a backyard barbecue or a picnic at a park, remember to keep safety in mind and be a good neighbour so that everyone can have a safe and fun time.

Fireworks

Eager to celebrate Canada’s birthday with fireworks and thousands of your closest friends? The City of Mississauga’s Canada Day event at Mississauga Celebration Square will include fireworks, a live concert headlined by Connor Price, aerial cirque shows, family fun at Camp Canuck, food trucks and more!

Celebrating at home instead? Respect the rules of our Fireworks by-law and use them safely and responsibly:

• Fireworks for Canada Day are allowed at home on your private property only on Tuesday, July 1 from dusk until 11 p.m.
• Fireworks are not allowed Saturday, June 28, Sunday, June 29 or Monday, June 30 unless you have a permit from the City.
• Fireworks cannot be used on a public street.
• You must have a permit from the City to use fireworks in a City park.

To safely dispose of used or unused fireworks, completely submerge the fireworks in water and soak them overnight. Wrap the soaked fireworks in a plastic bag and throw them in the garbage.

In the lead up to Canada Day, the City will increase the number of Enforcement officers on duty to allow for more patrols, improve response time for complaints and help ensure celebrations stay safe.

To submit a complaint about illegal use of fireworks, visit mississauga.ca/fireworks or call 311. Please do not call 911 for fireworks complaints.

Parking and park etiquette

Having people over on Canada Day? On-street parking is allowed on Canada Day beyond the five-hour limit, from 8 a.m. to midnight.

Heading to the lakefront or any of Mississauga’s parks? Only park in designated areas within parks and neighbourhoods. Illegally parked vehicles not only compromise neighbourhood safety but also make it difficult for emergency service vehicles to access the area.

Parking illegally can also result in a fine. Until Tuesday, September 30, parking and stopping violations will incur a fine of $100 or more on local roads, in City parks and municipal parking lots south of Lakeshore Road.

When visiting Mississauga’s parks, it’s also important to follow park etiquette. Please throw out your litter in the correct container, always pick up after your dog and keep them leashed, don’t feed wildlife, barbecue in designated areas only and dispose of hot coals properly in the designated bins.

Fire safety

Nothing says ‘summer’ like an outdoor cookout or barbecue. When grilling or enjoying your outdoor firepit, keep fire safety in mind:

• Never cook or barbecue in your garage.
• Keep barbecues away from fences and buildings.
• Clean your grill after each use.
• Make sure the smoke and smell from your fire doesn’t cause a nuisance.
• Never leave the fire unattended until it is extinguished.
• Always make sure to have a fire extinguisher or hose nearby.
• Review the City’s BBQ safety guide for more tips.

During your Canada Day celebrations, remember to be a good neighbour. Be kind to each other, and please be respectful of City staff working hard to ensure everyone can have fun and be safe.