Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada said the lights can stay on, but not the FM transmitter

A Cambridge man says a federal agency has shut down his massive Christmas light display in the Beaverdale Road area.

Dave Baker tweeted out that his Christmas display, which features over 20,000 lights timed to music, was shut down Monday by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

Baker said his light display started eight years ago as an outlet for his electronic engineering background after watching the reality television show "The Great Christmas Light Fight".

Bah humbug @MarwanTabbaraMP @Kathryn_McGarry. My Christmas light display (over 20,000 lights timed to music) just got shut down pic.twitter.com/fDVzQrYGiT — David Baker (@DaveBakerD2L) December 18, 2018

Federal officials had concerns about his FM transmitter causing interference with the Waterloo Regional Airport. The FM transmitter was used in previous years, but it wasn't until he put out a cardboard sign with the FM signal that he received the complaint. Baker isn't really sure how the complaint came about, but he's sure it couldn't be his neighbours.

"All the neighbours around us here do Christmas just as big as I do. Like this street is literally the definition of the Christmas spirit. If you drive down here, it's literally Whoville."

Baker allowed the official to inspect his setup and according to him, they weren't able to show any interference, but they shut him down anyway. Baker said his transmitter only reached as far as the road.

"I've got to say, the guy was pretty nice. I think he realized kind of what was happening. He was basically shutting down a Christmas light display. Like it's kind of sad."

He spent the past few years during long flights, coding the system that automates the light show to music. There isn't a way for him to do the light show without the FM transmitter that would allow people to tune in from their cars.

Baker has emailed General Manager Chris Woods at the Region of Waterloo International Airport about his situation and learned that they weren't the ones who complained and it was the first time they heard of it.

NavCanada tells 570 NEWS that the issue is not the lights, but rather the radio interference. They say they'll monitor the situation tonight to ensure that the interference is now gone.

Baker is appealing to the federal agency to "have a heart." He's also tweeted at Cambridge mayor and local MP Marwan Tabbara for help. He hopes to have things resolved before Christmas.

"I don't want to add to the pile here, but my wife's due on Christmas day. So you can say that the Christmas spirit is pretty bright in this house. So this is the last thing I really want to worry about right now."

If Baker were to turn on the musical light show again, he could face a $5,000 fine, have his transmitter forcibly removed and thrown in jail he does it again afterwards.

In a Facebook comment, MP for Kitchener South - Hespeler says that he's hoping to get the lights back on.

The following statement was also provided to 570 NEWS by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Tuesday afternoon:

Due to the potential risk to air safety at the Kitchener-Waterloo airport and to ensure the safety and security of airline passengers, we have asked the homeowner to stop using the non-certified transmitter.

The local Innovation Science and Economic Development (ISED) office was contacted by NavCanada earlier this month regarding interference to 126.000 MHz reported by an aircraft prior to landing at the Kitchener/Waterloo airport. The frequency 126.000 MHz is licensed to NavCanada for their air traffic control tower.

The homeowner was made aware of the importance of air safety, and advised that other FM equipment could be obtained provided that it was certified for use in Canada and met the standard for licence-exempt apparatus. The cease order does not apply to the lights and the homeowner may continue to operate them for the enjoyment of all during this holiday season.