In recent years, there has been an intense debate around fireworks and whether or not it is appropriate for the KLA to sponsor the display. For 2025, the KLA executive has decided to end our involvement with fireworks as we are no longer able to manage the risks to persons and property associated with the display, nor can we justify spending such a significant portion of member dues on it. We have spent a great deal of time debating this issue and fielding input from all sides, and we need now to re-focus our energy on the many other activities that serve our mission.

What follows here is a thorough explanation of how we arrived at this decision. If you are among those who are disappointed, upset or confused, we hope you will take the time to review it and put to rest any ill feelings or assumptions about the KLA's move away from this tradition. Thank you for your understanding.

***

Fireworks have been the subject of much debate across cottage country for a number of years now. For more than 20 years, the KLA has sponsored a Canada Day fireworks display launched from Umbrella Island. Recently, though, KLA has heard concern from members regarding whether this display is consistent with the KLA mission. In response, the KLA conducted a town hall and member survey in 2024, and also researched how other lake associations and municipalities are handling the issue.

We listened carefully to the full range of views both for and against fireworks expressed in the town hall and survey, some very passionate and others uncertain. Overall, support for the KLA fireworks was divided 50/50, and more than half felt that fireworks are not consistent with the KLA’s mission. The only clear message was that 2/3 of members believed a central, KLA-sponsored event would reduce the risks of fire, injury, pollution and property damage associated with multiple displays around the lake. (Details of the results were reported in the 2024 Wavelength.)

The KLA executive therefore committed to coordinating the Canada Day display so long as we could limit these risks by:

• Launching from a safe location away from cottages and forest (namely, Umbrella Island)
• Limiting the size of the display to what could be purchased for ~ $1000
• Using consumer grade fireworks in biodegradable packaging, not commercial or display grade fireworks
• Organizing volunteers to clean up the following morning
• Encouraging residents and guests to attend a single display and refrain from setting off their own displays all around the lake

We concluded, “as long as volunteers come forward, we will do our best to make it happen”.

Leading up to Canada Day 2024, the KLA asked for member volunteers to launch a display from the traditional location of Umbrella Island, away from cottages and their occupants, and away from flammable forest. Although many volunteered to clean up, no members were able or willing to set up and launch the display.

In the end, in order to fulfill our commitment to doing our best, the KLA donated the funds we had allocated for fireworks to a generous and enthusiastic group of non-members. Since we were not supervising the event, it did raise some concerns about our liability, and we were not able to determine the location, type or amount of fireworks deployed.

The resulting display was spectacular, and we are grateful to the group who donated their time and effort to carry it out. Afterward, though, the KLA received an equal measure of praise and outrage. We found ourselves in a difficult position, and we have spent the ensuing months re-considering the pros and cons of our participation in the event.

At this time, we feel that we can no longer meet the goal of mitigating the risks associated with fireworks, as requested by 2/3 of our member survey respondents. The risks, as well as the disruptions, environmental impacts and financial cost, have come to outweigh the potential benefit to the community, however fun and beautiful they are for 20 minutes a year. KLA member dues will, we believe, be better spent on events at which we can socialize face-to-face, as well as on community and personal safety, water quality monitoring, government and NGO engagement, and community education. The KLA will continue to sponsor the Canada Day Concert on the water, and we will kick off a “Spirit Day” this year, encouraging cottagers to celebrate Canada Day with dock and boat decorations (details to come).

We understand that this decision will be disappointing to members for whom the event has been a great tradition, and we hope that you will not react with anger or censure. As volunteers we have worked very hard for several years now to garner your input, research alternatives, and debate the options. Please take the time to understand the challenge of our position, the reasons we felt it was time to move away from KLA involvement in the event, and our desire to re-direct our energies away from this debate and toward all the other work we do for the benefit of this community as a whole. We hope you will join us in setting aside differences and come together in celebration of Canada, and of the community that makes Koshlong so special to us all.

As always, your respectful feedback is welcome at koshlonglake@gmail.com.

Your Lake Association needs your help! As we plan our activities for 2025, we could really use more volunteers to take on discrete jobs to support  social, safety, research and communication efforts. Please see below for a list of opportunities. We know everyone is busier than busy, but if you can spare an hour or two a month, or even just an afternoon sometime next summer, please get in touch with Catherine at koshlonglake@gmail.com. Thank you for helping to make Koshlong a great community!

Volunteer Opportunities!

Communications

• Website: content development, updating
• Wavelength articles

Safety

• Dock retrieval or removal
• Pontoon rescue (YMCA campers needing rapid removal from campsites in case of severe weather)

Lake Health

• Clean up: shorelines, roads
• Shoreline restoration

Canada Day

• Daytime activity such as fun run, dock decorating or boat parade (suggestions made by members, volunteers needed to support)
• Fireworks: transport, set up, launch from Umbrella Island; clean up after

Fun Day

• Activities planning
• Set up, clean up
• MC(s)
• Water safety monitoring
• Food service & garbage clean up

Sailing Regatta

• Set up course
• Host after-party

Other events (suggested by members but in need of volunteers to lead)

• Stargazing
• Community environmental education
• Geo-caching / Treasure hunt
• Hiking, foraging
• Fun run
• Card or Game night
• Movie night

KLA Town Hall, March 19, 2024:
Future of KLA-Organized Fireworks

Between 20-25 cottages were represented at the Town Hall, which took place on Tuesday evening, via Zoom. The following is a brief summary of the points raised by participants during the discussion. These are not the opinions of KLA board members, but of residents on the lake who attended the meeting. 

• There is an excessive amount of garbage left on Umbrella Island and in the water, and it takes many hours to clean up. It is the responsibility of those launching fireworks to prevent accidents and clean up debris, and the KLA failed to clean up adequately in 2023.
• Fireworks are a valued tradition; the KLA could hire professionals to put on the show in order to ensure safety.
• Lakes without a central display have many more smaller displays throughout the season.
• Many smaller and larger displays are already occurring on Koshlong, the central display does not seem to be preventing this.
• While fireworks have been a nice tradition, we are more aware of risks than 30 years ago, and it may be time to look into alternatives.
• The KLA has received a special discount on fireworks but may not have this doing forward; inflation is increasing the cost.
• There is currently no volunteer on the KLA board able or willing to operate the fireworks; they are dangerous and injuries have happened, one resulting in an ER visit.
• The KLA should make decisions based on values set forth in the Lake Plan; much consultation and effort was put into developing that.
• Minden Hills has implemented a by-law with permit and penalty fees in order to prevent fire and other risks to the environment.
• The KLA cannot control what other residents/guests do, but can reduce their own impact on the lake environment.
• The current by-law for Highlands East can be found here: https://www.highlandseast.ca/en/news/fireworks-by-law-and-restrictions-in-effect.aspx
• An anonymous survey of all members was endorsed by participants in the meeting.

In addition to the above discussion, the KLA has received following comments from members (via email) between August 2023 and March 2024. These points were shared with participants in the Town Hall prior to discussion:

• Fireworks are expensive, disruptive, a fire hazard, and cause air pollution.
• There’s a high risk of accidents with so many boats moving around after dark.
• We should advocate for more restrictive by-laws like Minden Hills
• Eliminate fireworks due to the harm to wild and domestic life.
• The KLA should be stewards of the lake and leave it beautiful for future generations.
• Users of Umbrella Island find fireworks waste all season long.
• Recommend that everyone on the lake cease and desist.
• The understanding of our environmental footprint has changed since the KLA fireworks began, it’s time to let it go.
• Direct the funds to other activities with less environmental impact.

• It’s a tradition our family looks forward to every year.
• Control fireworks by using Umbrella Island.
• Fireworks are an inclusive event that builds community spirit.
• When considering the number, the cost per attendee is a good use of funds.
• It’s better to have one controlled event than multiple around the lake.
• Fireworks are one of the few times multiple generations come together.

• For many years, the KLA has organized, paid for and operated a central fireworks display, launched from Umbrella Island, to celebrate Canada Day. We know that many people enjoy these displays. However:

• The display consumes a significant portion of the KLA social/events budget, and volunteer time to set up and clean up;
• There is no question that fireworks negatively impact wildlife and the ecosystem at large, and that they pose risks of injury, property damage and wildfires - an increasing problem across Ontario.

The purpose of the KLA is both to protect the lake and to enhance our lake community. The historic intention of the KLA fireworks was to balance these goals by bringing people together for a single, large and carefully-executed display, reducing the risks associated with multiple private displays around the lake. The question we have is whether the central display fulfills this expectation, and thus whether continuing the display is worth the financial and environmental impact on our lake community. Further information about the costs and benefits of our display can be found below.

To be clear, the KLA does not have the authority to ban the use of fireworks on the lake - this discussion is solely about whether the KLA should sponsor a fireworks display.

Before making a decision about the future of a KLA-organized fireworks display, and/or what activities may be better suited to fulfilling the KLA's purpose, we want to hear what you have to say about it. Please join us for a moderated discussion at a Virtual Town Hall on March 19, 7:00pm on Zoom, to hear and discuss opinions on the matter. 

If you would like to attend the Town Hall, and/or to make a short presentation regarding fireworks or other KLA activities, please contact us at koshlonglake@gmail.com by March 15. We hope to see you there!

FURTHER INFORMATION ON FIREWORKS

In recent years, the relative merits and dangers of fireworks has been the subject of conversation, not just in cottage country but around the world. Successive summers of wildfires across Canada, and the smoke blowing into our communities, have increased awareness of the very real harms of air pollution and wildfire risk. Recent summers have seen fire bans extending from May into June or even July, and fireworks have been associated with some deadly, costly and high profile fires in the province:

Jurisdictions have reviewed their fireworks by-laws and opted for tighter restrictions, while major cities in Asia, Europe and North America are opting to ban fireworks entirely due to air pollution, water contamination, wildfire risk and/or the threats posed to wildlife. Some lake associations in Ontario have decided to prioritize their role as environmental stewards and end their displays. Others have opted to continue, but to raise funds for the displays through independent donation, so they can dedicate more of their annual budgets to other activities.

In 2022, the KLA published an article in the Wavelength stating that the board intended to phase out its central fireworks display over the coming 2-3 years, and replace it with other activities such as the Canada Day concert on the dock. Toward that goal, the KLA executive has reduced expenditure on fireworks from over $1500/year to about $1000/year (not including ~$200 in insurance to cover volunteers operating the fireworks). With inflation, this yields fewer fireworks and a smaller display, which may impact members’ enjoyment of and/or support for the display.

In addition, we also need to ensure we have qualified people to run the display (as Joel Raskin has stepped down) and volunteers to clean up the next day.

To be clear, the KLA has neither the jurisdiction nor the intention to “ban” fireworks; residents are free to use fireworks in accordance with local by-laws. But the question before members in 2024 is whether the social benefits of our fireworks display are worth the financial and environmental costs? The table below summarizes some of the possible outcomes of continuing vs. discontinuing the KLA display.

Continuing the KLA Fireworks	Discontinuing KLA fireworks
Introduces toxic chemicals into the air & lake, and leaves garbage on land & water	KLA supported activity is no longer directly contaminating the lake and impacting wildlife
Negatively impacts wildlife the KLA should be protecting, as well as pets and service animals	Aligns with the KLA mandate to protect the lake and wildlife
Poses some risk to volunteers, and require more volunteers to run the display and clean up in future	Lowers KLA’s risk & responsibility
~10% of the KLA’s annual budget goes to 20 minutes of entertainment	Frees up $1200 of budget, which could be used for alternate Canada Day or social activities
Carries a lower risk of fire when launched from Umbrella Island than from private property	Does NOT “ban” fireworks on the lake
May deter more private displays and associated risks (fire, injury, property damage, pollution, etc.)	May result in an increase of private displays and associated risks (fire, injury, contamination, garbage, and disturbance of close neighbours)
Is popular with both members and non-members & guests	Will disappoint some members & non-members

Fireworks By-Laws around Ontario

Fall 2023

KOSHLONG VICINITY

Highlands East

https://www.highlandseast.ca/en/explore-and-play/fireworks.aspx

• ·       Only permitted on the weekends of Victoria Day, Canada, Civic Holiday and Labour day, AND if Canada Day falls mid-week, then on both adjacent weekends
• ·       Only permitted between dusk-11pm
• ·       Never permitted during Fire Ban ($500 fine)
• ·      

Dysart et al

https://www.dysartetal.ca/en/living-in-our-community/fireworks.aspx#Consumer-Fireworks--When-They-Can-Be-Lit

• ·       Similar to Highlands East: restricted to holidays between 8-11pm

Minden Hills

https://www.mindenhills.ca/en/living-here/burn-and-firework-permits.aspx#:~:text=Fireworks%20requirements%20are%20outlined%20in,as%20an%20undue%20fire%20hazard

• ·       Permit required to discharge fireworks from Chief Fire Official; $50 fee and inspection required
• ·       “Hosted in a place or in a manner that does not cause danger or constitutes a nuisance to any person or property, clear and open away from buildings, overhead wires and tree branches and away from livestock, animal shelter or wildlife sanctuary or conservation area”
• ·       Never permitted during a fire ban or winds exceeding 25 km/h
• ·       $150 fee to respond to nuisance complaint
• ·       By-law 20-104 (2020)

Others: Algonquin Highlands, North Kawartha, Kawartha Lakes, Hastings and Bancroft… all restrict consumer use to designated holidays, though specific holidays and weekend allowances vary.

BEYOND KOSHLONG

(an incomplete sample)

FOCA tracks updates around Ontario: https://foca.on.ca/fireworks-flying-lanterns/

Toronto: limited to Victoria day and Canada day, private property only

York Region: private use restricted to Victoria day and Canada day in most municipalities except Markham, where fireworks are not permitted without a permit costing in excess of $200

Peterborough: does not restrict fireworks on private property other than a loose guideline to respect 24-hour a day noise by-laws; complaints abound

Durham: In fall 2023, is surveying the public and considering options for further restriction of fireworks sale and use: https://www.durhamregion.com/news/oshawa-looks-to-change-fireworks-bylaw/article_dca8a684-4af8-5a1e-acb1-0f02316b23a0.html

Halton Hills: Rejected a total ban on fireworks in the spring of 2023 in favor of expanding the dates on which fireworks are allowed to include Lunar New Year, Diwali and New Year’s Eve

Mississauga: currently prohibits except major holidays, but conducted a review in 2023 and on November 8 approved an increase in fines for illegally setting off fireworks of up to $100K: https://www.mississauga.com/news/council/mississauga-council-votes-to-fine-worst-firework-rule-breakers-100k/article_52035019-219f-5059-a5a6-ce1bb8b3ef65.html; additional restrictions may be coming: https://www.mississauga.ca/projects-and-strategies/city-projects/fireworks-by-law-review/

Brampton: all fireworks are prohibited https://www1.brampton.ca/EN/residents/By-Law-Enforcement//pages/fireworks.aspx

London: has proposed total prohibition of private use, and will address at Council Fall 2023: https://getinvolved.london.ca/fireworks

Simcoe: small variations between townships, but generally restricted to major holidays and/or surrounding weekends

It should be noted that Highlands East has reported increasing their enforcement of, and penalties for non-compliance with, fire and fireworks by-laws

This spring, Koshlong members whose property lies in Highlands East reported that they had been turned away from the landfill/waste transfer facilities located in Dysart, despite a previous agreement that allowed Koshlong lake owners to use those facilities. After consulting with Cec Ryall and Dave Burton, the KLA was told that Koshlong Lake residents would be receiving GREEN dump cards granting them access to all Dysart facilities. Some Koshlongers have already received theirs, but others have not -- if you are among them, we will be posting instructions here very soon about how to get yours - please stay tuned!

Bell has notified some customers around Koshlong that they are experiencing problems with their tower in Donald. An increased number of customers has slowed the speed of internet, but in addition, connections may be dropped entirely when your Bell cellular internet device (eg, a Turbo-Hub) switches between LTE and 3G.

If you are having this problem and haven’t reported it, please do as so at 1-800-667-0123. The more complaints received, the greater pressure on Bell to remedy the problem. If you have previously reported a problem, you maybe eligible for a refund for the time your service has been disrupted/ malfunctioning. This is known to go back to at least May 23, 2021.

At the KLA's AGM in June, members raised concerns regarding misuse of Crown Land around Koshlong lake to Mayor Dave Burton and Deputy Mayor Cecil Ryal. Specifically, members have encountered excessive gunfire and litter in a portion of Crown Land on the south side of the lake; the disturbing noise and waste are significantly impacting cottagers' and campers' safety and comfort.

The issue was profiled on the front page of today's Haliburton Highlander, featuring comments from several KLA members and Director Mike Palmer, and was accompanied by an editorial on page 8.

Full Issue - July 15 Highander. 

Carol Moffat, Councillor for Algonquin Highlands, also presented this letter to Haliburton County Council on June 16. She points out that "the changing use of Crown Land falls between the jurisdictional cracks of municipalities, OPP and MNRF."

If you encounter problems on Crown Land near your property, we encourage you to report to the OPP by calling 911 or 1-800-310-1122 immediately so action can be taken by the proper authorities.

The KLA will continue to advocate with local representatives, the OPP and the MNRF for effective action on this issue. Please contact us if you would like to be involved in the effort.

Have you picked up the current issue of Cottage Life? The KLA's Fire prevention program is profiled on page 23 - check it out!

At approximately 10:30 on Sunday morning, smoke was spotted coming from the Cannon property on Sapphire Drive. It was a grass and ground fire that was spreading rapidly due to very dry conditions and wind gusts.

Using the three-blast alarm from the fire horns, neighbours were able alert other cottagers nearby who came to assist. The team employed two of the Koshlong fire pumps, and were able to bring the blaze under control by the time the Fire Department arrived.

It was determined that the fire had spread from a campfire from the night before. Despite believing he had put the fire out that evening by dousing it with water, the fire reignited and worked its way through the root system. Unfortunately, there was no one at the cottage as they had left early in the morning for work.

The owners were contacted and arrived after the fire was out. Naturally the whole family are upset and regret the circumstances. They are truly grateful to the lake community coming together to save their cottage and the surrounding trees. In appreciation they are purchasing two more fire pumps for the lake, one to be located on their property and the second to be placed in a location chosen by the KLA.

Because of the very dry weather, receiving only a fraction of the normal rainfall for this time of year, the risk of fire is tremendously high! Please exercise extreme caution if you have a campfire:

• Keep it small and abide by municipal restrictions on daytime burning
• Pay attention to placement: choose rock or gravel as a foundation and avoid any combustible material like the humus created from leaves, moss, and pine needles
• Have plenty of water on hand to be able to put out if there is a problem; the best solution is to have a garden hose close by so the fire and surrounding area can be completely soaked
• Douse the fire completely when you have finished with it

This incident is an important reminder that fire can take hold so easily and spread quickly, and we all need to be extra cautious! Learn more about the KLA fire safety program, how to prevent fires, and how to use the pumps, and remember to download and print the emergency procedures list and fire pump instructions and keep these in a visible place for you and your guests. If you would like a lesson in using the fire pump, please contact Mike Palmer or your fire captain. Any one of us at any time could be in a position of needing to act quickly to save property and lives!

Tremendous thanks to all the who assisted:

• Tracy and Maggie Smith
• Andrew and Pronica Janikowski
• Barb Holland and Mike Palmer
• Ashley Ritchie
• Peter Farmer, Brian Dorney and Paul Lewis
• Mike Wigmor

Fireworks are only permitted between 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm on the Victoria Day weekend. For more information, please review the Highlands East Fireworks Bylaw #2020-16.