The Canadian Environmental Agency issued a warning regarding fireworks during Diwali as a reason to prepare for poor air quality last October, despite multiple warnings from some staff about it being a racially charged warning.

The warning was drafted and an apology was issued within hours as complaints flooded into the National Weather Service on the morning the annual Indian festival of lights was set to begin.

Dozens of emails obtained through a freedom of information request show the discussions that followed before the advisory was issued on October 24, 2022.

At least two meteorologists raised red flags that linking Diwali to poor air quality could be considered discriminatory.

Many complaints sent that day accused the agency of racism, pointing out the lack of similar air quality warnings regarding fireworks on Canada Day.

It seems that the Diwali warning was the first time the Canadian Ministry of Environment issued a warning about air pollution due to fireworks, but the agency also appears determined to monitor conditions surrounding fireworks during other holidays and plan for future warnings.