Christine Grimard
Northern News Services
Friday, March 23, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - The fireworks supervisor for Caribou Carnival says federal anti-terrorism legislation is putting a cap on how big of a bang we'll see at the Caribou Carnival fireworks show tonight.

Legislation tightening regulations on storing and transporting fireworks shells means that fireworks supervisor Don Helfrick can't use firework shells larger than 6 inches.

A new explosives classification table considers fireworks over 6 inches in line with heavy duty explosives, according to Chris Watson, director and chief inspector of the Explosives Regulatory Division of the Federal Department of Natural Resources.

The change of rules was made in September, 2004.

Since it takes a few years for these regulations to come into effect, Watson said distributors are only now starting to see the effects of the new classification system.

"It may cause some distributors not to stock them because of the tightened regulations," said Watson.

Watson said that the regulations come from a series of deadly fireworks accidents in Europe rather than anti-terrorism legislation.

He did note, however, that anti-terrorism legislation will require background checks for anyone purchasing a certain size of fireworks. He expects to see that legislation put into place at some point this year.

Robert Brown, president of Hands Fireworks, distributes fireworks across the country, including to Yellowknife for Caribou Carnival. Brown said that the tightened regulations have made it impossible to buy any shells over 6 inches.

"It's like storing dynamite," said Brown.

He said he currently can't find any international distributor who would sell him larger fireworks shells, and he has stopped producing them domestically.

The new table shouldn't effect the show too much, insisted Helfrick, fireworks supervisor for the Caribou Carnival.

Although he admitted there will be "None of that big, beautiful stuff" at the show.

Helfrick said he usually only uses a couple of shells over 6 inches anyway.

"We're going to do the best we can with what we have," said Helfrick.

Friday night's $11,000 show will be shooting $1,000 worth of fireworks every minute, he said.

Grant Pryznyk, Caribou Carnival co-ordinator, said he's expecting thousands of people to attend the fireworks show.

"It's one of the big events at the carnival," he said.

Helfrick said the best place to catch the show will be on the carnival site.

He promises lots of colour as he'll be using Chinese fireworks that are brighter than Canadian shells. The fireworks setup will be 600 yards from the carnival site, and will be shooting towards the airport.

The show will start at 9 p.m. sharp. With the smaller shells, Helfrick said carnival workers will let the crowd get a little closer this year.

Municipal enforcement officers will make sure any danger areas are surveyed.

Helfrick also said there will be a "feminine touch" to the show this year.

When asked what he meant by that, Helfrick said, "I guess you'll have to come out to see."