Editor:
A letter to the Town of Canmore from the animals.
In 2018, Lavaniya Rajah with CBC News wrote “fiery explosions scare wildlife and pets, put rural areas at risk of forest fires,” and further explained why alternatives such as lights on drones were the more humane choice than fireworks.
Yet, for some reason we started 2024 in Canmore going backwards in time with fireworks so loud they shook houses across the valley. By some measure, people at the Town of Canmore must think they were doing the right thing to bring awe and joy to some humans. But there is no joy in terrifying sensory sensitive humans and the many non-human residents who, without warning, experience an onslaught of explosions echoing across the mountains.
Since fireworks have an impact on every living thing in the valley, perhaps it is time the Town conduct a proper poll to learn from its citizens if the majority want the same old show, or if an alternative way to celebrate is preferred.
Of course, it would be hard to poll the dogs, the wolves, the cats, the cougars, the birds, mice, deer, elk …. all who you humans profess to care about, but at least give the people a chance to help us so that future celebrations can be joyful minus the terror.
The Animals in the Bow Valley
Laura S. Lynes,
Canmore
