JOSHUA ALLAN
The 1019 Report

St. Lazare’s decision not to host any fireworks shows to celebrate Quebec’s Fête National  and Canada Day again this year is disappointing to some residents, while others are praising the town’s response to the risks these events pose.

The decision is in contrast to the neighbouring municipalities of Hudson, Vaudreuil-Dorion and Rigaud, each of which plan to host fireworks shows either to celebrate Fête National or Canada Day. However, some say St. Lazare made the right choice by considering the negative effects that fireworks have on animals, especially horses.

Letizia Chiminazzo, a trainer at the Centre Équestre l’Intégrité, said she backs the municipality’s decision “100 per cent.”

Horses are very sensitive animals, and are vulnerable to loud noises made by fireworks, she explained to The 1019 Report. “Especially horses that live outside … they could just lose their marbles and try to jump their fence, or run into their fence, or run into a tree and get injured.”

Not only is the health of horses at risk with fireworks shows, Chiminazzo said, but a spooked horse that finds its way to the open road can pose a fatal risk for drivers.

But it isn’t just horses who are negatively affected by fireworks, but all animals, said Hudson resident Gail Meili. She explained that the loud crack of fireworks displays is agony for her two dogs.

“Once there are fireworks anywhere, that’s it. I don’t sleep the whole night,” Meili explained. “It’s terrifying to them.”

She added that she is also concerned about the environmental impacts fireworks displays create. A 2016 study on this impact published in the Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association found that the use of fireworks and firecrackers increased particulate matter in ambient air spaces. This can lead to a “substantial increase in adverse health effects,” the study reads.

Meili shared her concerns about Hudson’s decision to go forward with a Canada Day fireworks show on Facebook, applauding St. Lazare’s decision to cancel them, but her opinion was met with divided opinions.

St. Lazare resident Joëlle Ménard is disappointed with her town’s decision to cancel the fireworks shows, questioning whether it was a matter of saving money. She said many other residents believe that the town does not have its fiscal priorities straight.

St. Lazare municipal officials were unable to provide a response to The 1019 Report in time for publication.

Ménard added that the reason she moved with her children to St. Lazare 22 years ago was for the promise of family activities.

“(Now) they’re telling us to spend our money elsewhere,” she said.