Ottawa councillors criticize surprise fireworks display after Bluesfest

Ottawa city councillors are criticizing an unannounced fireworks display that lit up downtown Ottawa late Thursday night, saying many residents were caught off guard and disturbed by the timing. According to the city, the fireworks were originally intended for the cancelled Canada Day celebrations, which were called off after severe thunderstorms earlier this month. Officials said Canadian Heritage judged it safer to use the fireworks during Bluesfest rather than dismantle and move them. The city said it chose not to publicize the display because it did not want to encourage additional crowds near the festival site. By Friday morning, the city said it had received nearly 40 complaints and would review the feedback as part of its postevent debrief.