The Nova Scotia Government repealed the Fireworks Act in 2002, removing restrictions on the sale of consumer fireworks. Why? And why 2002?
According to the NS Office of the Fire Marshall, “The repeal of any Act is generally to modernize outdated legislation, or to align with other regulations.”(1)
Here’s a theory - maybe we did it to improve trade relations with China:
“The Nova Scotia – China Engagement Strategy outlines how the province will forge a stronger alliance with China by building mutually beneficial trade, investment, business, political, and cultural relationships. To achieve this, Nova Scotia will focus on our competitive strengths; build and strengthen relationships in China; and coordinate our activities at home and in China.”(2)
China joined the World Trade Organization in December, 2001.(3) China wanted to join the WTO because it would allow China access to new trading partners and better rates with current ones, raising prospects for improved living standards domestically and giving China a seat at the table in a globalizing world.(4) Since its ascension into the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, Canada’s trade with China has grown faster than Canada’s trade with any other principal trading partner.(5)
In the year 2000 China only sold $60,400 worth of fireworks to Canada. By 2009 sales were $9.9 million. Between 2012 - 2019 sales exceeded $10 million every year except in 2015.(6)
In 2020, Fireworks had a total world trade value of $1.13 billion. China was the top exporter - $684M. This was greater than the next four exporters combined! Germany ($79.5M), France ($68.2M), United States ($66.3M), and Netherlands ($33.4M).(7)
In case you aren’t aware, fireworks may contain serious toxins. “The metals associated with increased toxicity in our ground-based pyrotechnic displays are elevated in samples taken around… holiday celebrations.”( 8 ) Do we trust the Chinese to care about the toxicity of fireworks exported to Canada? Remember, this is the same country where toxins were added to baby formula to artificially cheat on nutrient analysis testing.(9)
Does our provincial government care more about trade relations with China than the health and safety of Nova Scotians? The safety of our pets and livestock? Our environment? The risk of fires?
References
1. Email correspondence with Kirk Janes, N.S. Office of the Fire Marshal, DMAH, February 2, 2022
2. https://novascotia.ca/china/
3.https://en.wikipedia.org/.../China_and_the_World_Trade...
4. https://world101.cfr.org/.../what-happened-when-china...
5. https://www.international.gc.ca/.../china-canada-2020...
6. https://oec.world/en/profile/hs/fireworks...
7. https://oec.world/en/profile/hs/fireworks
8.https://particleandfibretoxicology.biomedcentral.com/...
9. https://www.marketplace.org/.../fda-beware-chinese-baby.../
According to the NS Office of the Fire Marshall, “The repeal of any Act is generally to modernize outdated legislation, or to align with other regulations.”(1)
Here’s a theory - maybe we did it to improve trade relations with China:
“The Nova Scotia – China Engagement Strategy outlines how the province will forge a stronger alliance with China by building mutually beneficial trade, investment, business, political, and cultural relationships. To achieve this, Nova Scotia will focus on our competitive strengths; build and strengthen relationships in China; and coordinate our activities at home and in China.”(2)
China joined the World Trade Organization in December, 2001.(3) China wanted to join the WTO because it would allow China access to new trading partners and better rates with current ones, raising prospects for improved living standards domestically and giving China a seat at the table in a globalizing world.(4) Since its ascension into the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, Canada’s trade with China has grown faster than Canada’s trade with any other principal trading partner.(5)
In the year 2000 China only sold $60,400 worth of fireworks to Canada. By 2009 sales were $9.9 million. Between 2012 - 2019 sales exceeded $10 million every year except in 2015.(6)
In 2020, Fireworks had a total world trade value of $1.13 billion. China was the top exporter - $684M. This was greater than the next four exporters combined! Germany ($79.5M), France ($68.2M), United States ($66.3M), and Netherlands ($33.4M).(7)
In case you aren’t aware, fireworks may contain serious toxins. “The metals associated with increased toxicity in our ground-based pyrotechnic displays are elevated in samples taken around… holiday celebrations.”( 8 ) Do we trust the Chinese to care about the toxicity of fireworks exported to Canada? Remember, this is the same country where toxins were added to baby formula to artificially cheat on nutrient analysis testing.(9)
Does our provincial government care more about trade relations with China than the health and safety of Nova Scotians? The safety of our pets and livestock? Our environment? The risk of fires?
References
1. Email correspondence with Kirk Janes, N.S. Office of the Fire Marshal, DMAH, February 2, 2022
2. https://novascotia.ca/china/
3.https://en.wikipedia.org/.../China_and_the_World_Trade...
4. https://world101.cfr.org/.../what-happened-when-china...
5. https://www.international.gc.ca/.../china-canada-2020...
6. https://oec.world/en/profile/hs/fireworks...
7. https://oec.world/en/profile/hs/fireworks
8.https://particleandfibretoxicology.biomedcentral.com/...
9. https://www.marketplace.org/.../fda-beware-chinese-baby.../
