Ottawa Kept Surprise Fireworks Secret Due to Public Safety Risks, City Says

The City of Ottawa intentionally withheld information about a surprise fireworks display last Thursday night, citing potential "public safety risks" as the primary reason. The roughly 12-minute pyrotechnic show, using fireworks originally intended for Canada Day but cancelled due to severe weather, was launched unexpectedly over LeBreton Flats around 10:53 p.m. as part of Ottawa Bluesfest.

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The decision followed careful consideration of public safety implications.

Videos of the unannounced display quickly circulated on social media, prompting numerous residents to question the lack of advance notice for the late-night event. In a statement to Global News, the city explained that its Special Event Advisory Team, comprising representatives from the Ottawa Police Service, emergency services, Ottawa Public Health, and other city departments, made the decision not to advertise the rescheduled fireworks.

City officials expressed concern that promoting the event could have led to large crowds gathering outside the ticketed Bluesfest grounds, creating what they described as an "event surrounding an event." Ryan Perrault, the city’s general manager of emergency and protective services, stated that the decision followed careful consideration of public safety implications. He added that officials believed promoting the display could have resulted in significant numbers of people congregating in the surrounding area, outweighing the benefits of broader notification.

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The decision followed careful consideration of public safety implications.

The city acknowledged that the decision caught many residents off guard and caused concern or disturbance for some. Perrault noted that staff recognize the impact of the surprise display and will review public feedback as part of a post-event debrief. This review aims to determine if any adjustments are needed for future events. As of Friday morning, the city's bylaw and regulatory services department had received 38 complaints related to the fireworks.

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Staff recognize that the display caused concern and disturbance for some residents, particularly given the absence of advance notice.