Calgary councilor calls fireworks “colonialist and racist”

Calgary city councilor Kourtney Penner said having a fireworks show on Canada Day would be “upholding colonialism and racism.” 

Calgary councilor calls fireworks “colonialist and racist”

The city announced last week that it would finish off Canada Day with a pyrotechnic show in place of what’s normally a massive fireworks show.

Several calls to overturn the decision have been made including a petition that has amassed thousands of votes. 

The Ward 11 councilor Penner subsequently lashed out at Calgarians who are proud to be Canadians and celebrate Canada Day with fireworks. 

“Council didn’t make this decision and if we were to reverse it, it would do nothing more than discredit the voices who asked for a different kind of celebration. Reversing this decision would be upholding colonialism and racism,” she said.

Mayor Jyoti Gondek defended the decision to scrap the fireworks

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek also defended the city’s decision to scrap fireworks from this year’s Canada Day celebration, which includes $100,000 fines for Calgarians who set off their own without a permit.   

“I would encourage everyone to get to know a little bit more about what the celebration is about,” Gondek said in defending the decision to scrap the fireworks.

Gondek also asked Calgarians “to recognize the fact that it’s the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act and there’s Truth and Reconciliation commitments.”

Setting off fireworks risks a $100,000 fine

According to the city’s website, first-time offenders who set off fireworks without a permit are punishable by “Fines up to $100,000 and up to $1,000 for each day where the offence continues and/or imprisonment for up to 6 months.”

The city manager of arts and culture, Franca Gualtieri, who made the decision,

said it was done in light of cultural sensitivities, community, and environmental concerns.

Outrage over the committee’s decision to scrap the fireworks show — and implement the pyrotechnic “pilot project” has spread far and wide. Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner chastised the decision earlier this week. 

“When our leaders make this choice a binary one, that as a people we can only do one at the expense of the other, we further divide our country instead of solving its problems,” Garner said.

She added, “Suggesting that Canada Day shouldn’t be a day for celebration does just that, and I won’t allow my community to be pushed into that corner.”

On Wednesday, the city of Toronto also canceled planned Canada Day celebrations in Nathan Philips Square due to “resource constraints.” 

Share this story

Donate now to keep us on the front lines:

Help Keep your News Free

It's crucial we stay in touch

Big Tech wants to censor us, that’s why you need to stay in touch.

[wpp limit=6 order_by='views']

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE THESE...

Trending News

Here are the top 10 reasons why Calgarians should consider someone other than Jyoti Gondek to run their city.

Keean Bexte

November 29, 2024

Trending News

Amid pushback against putting fluoride in drinking water, the City of Calgary is moving forward with its plan.

TCS Wire

November 27, 2024

Trending News

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek gets lambasted on social media for beginning her Remembrance Day speech by stating that Canada is really only Indigenous peoples’ land.

Keean Bexte

November 12, 2024

Trending News

Jyoti Gondek has released a personal website to counter negative press.

TCS Wire

November 4, 2024

Trending News

In the name of DEI, 67% of Ottawa U’s offers for their clinical psychology doctoral program will be reserved for non-White applicants.

Mike Campbell

October 9, 2024

Want to join the conversation?

Sign up now to be able to like, comment and reply to other members. A full membership to our site includes:

We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website.