The city announced last week that it would finish off Canada Day with a pyrotechnic show in place of what’s normally a massive fireworks show.

“I would encourage everyone to get to know a little bit more about what the celebration is about,” Gondek said in defending the decision to scrap the fireworks.

Gondek also asked Calgarians “to recognize the fact that it’s the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act and there’s Truth and Reconciliation commitments.”

According to the city’s website, first-time offenders who set off fireworks without a permit are punishable by “Fines up to $100,000 and up to $1,000 for each day where the offence continues and/or imprisonment for up to 6 months.”