Spike in fines coming prior to Halloween for City of Surrey
Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 Oct, 2024 12:54 PM
The City of Surrey is increasing its fines ahead of Halloween for those who are caught selling or using fireworks without a permit.
It says the minimum penalty for a violation has jumped from 100 to 400 dollars and the maximum has increased from five thousand to 50-thousand dollars.
Mayor Brenda Locke says the increase in fines is in response to what she calls a "significant surge" of complaints ahead of Halloween and Diwali, noting the illegal use of fireworks can cause property damage as well as distress for animals.
The city says setting off fireworks in Surrey requires federal certification and permits from the Surrey Fire Service.
Statistics Canada says the fertility rate in Canada reached an all-time low in 2023, and the lowest rate was recorded in British Columbia. It says Canada’s fertility rate fell to 1.26 births per woman, joining the cohort of “lowest-low” fertility countries, including South Korea, Spain, Italy and Japan.
The B.C. Green Party is expected to be the first to roll out its complete election platform later today. Leader Sonia Furstenau is scheduled to hold a news conference in Victoria this morning.
British Columbia's New Democrats have unveiled a plan that Leader David Eby says will help middle-income families purchase a home by financing 40 per cent of the price.
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Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says the city is taking immediate steps to improve public safety in the Gastown neighbourhood. Sim says they’ll work with the Vancouver Police Department to establish a community policing centre in Gastown as residents and businesses there say they want increased visibility of officers.
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