No charges related to Canada Day fireworks in Kitchener

Kitchener's Victoria Park in the summer of 2026. (Dan Lauckner/CTV News)

The City of Kitchener says there were no major issues stemming from unsanctioned Canada Day celebrations.

A big party was organized at Carl Zehr Square, featuring live entertainment and a light display at dusk, but a group of youths decided to gather at Victoria Park anyway.

Waterloo Regional Police said their officers closed the park at 8:45 p.m. due to reports of illegal fireworks.

“We understand that this closure may be inconvenient for some residents, but the safety of our community is our top priority,” they wrote in a message posted Wednesday.

Police said one person was charged for refusing to leave the park.

The rest of the group left, but they did not go far.

“Due to extensive preplanning and coordination between [Waterloo Regional Police] and City Bylaw Enforcement staff, groups of youth gathering in Victoria Park and later in the Gaukel Street/Halls Lane area were quickly dispersed from the downtown core,” the city said in a statement to CTV News.

In all, there were a total of 22 fireworks-related calls between June 30 and July 2.

The city said no charges were laid under the fireworks bylaw.

Past problems

Unsanctioned celebrations have been a persistent problem at Victoria Park.

Over the Victoria Day long weekend there were multiple complaints about people gathering at the Victoria Park to set off fireworks. Police ultimately closed public access around 9 p.m. “to ensure public safety and the dispersal of the crowds.”

It was also an issue in 2025. Fireworks were seized from multiple young people on Canada Day, a 17-year-old was arrested for possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and several trespassing charges were also laid. Police closed the park in an effort to get the group to disperse. Instead, they moved to Schneider Avenue where fireworks were set off in the street.

In 2024, hundreds of people were gathered in the park when a few started shooting fireworks at each other and innocent bystanders. Police said a 14-year-old was charged.

Two bylaw officers were hit with fireworks while responding to another Canada Day incident in 2023.

Waterloo Regional Police warned the community ahead of this year’s celebration that anyone who set off fireworks in the park could face a fine or be arrested and charged.