A couple Timmins city councillors continue to take issue with the sole-sourcing of contracts overall.

The one council is zeroed in on right now is for the purchasing of fireworks for next year’s Canada Day festival.

Ward 5 rep Rick Dubeau says while he has never met them and thus never steered him the wrong way, the city should have looked at other options besides David Whysall International Fireworks.

He says there are 27 fireworks companies registered with the Canadian Fireworks Association—including Whysall.

Six of them are located in Ontario.

Whysall was the company to approach the city with the idea of having an eight-day fireworks festival in the first place.

Mayor Steve Black says they have a great history with Whysall’s group that’s over 20 years old, and includes the South Porcupine Winter Carnival and the Great Canadian Kayak Challenge and Festival.

He says you want to know the group you’re working with and Whysall knows what they’re doing with a fireworks festival.

Whysall’s company, in fact, have won two competitions and will represent Canada at this festival.

But for Dubeau, along with Councillor Joe Campbell, they’re showing a concern of how quickly this particular item is being pushed through.  Black says it has to do with the ability to obtain the fireworks in time.

Black says China has a law that prohibits the manufacturing and production of fireworks for a three-month period as part of a green initiative.  By waiting, the shipment would be pushed to either February or March.

The vote was passed by council by a 7-2 count.

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