Regulations Archives - Drone Law Canada

BREAKING NEWS: Official Drone Regulations Released by Transport Canada (Jan 9, 2019)

Posted on January 9, 2019 By Kathryn McCulloch
Categories: Regulations

After much anticipation, Transport Canada announced the official drone regulations at a press conference this morning in Montreal, Quebec. Embracing the nomenclature change to refer to drones as “remotely piloted aircraft systems”, the official regulations reflect many changes to the laws in Canada for drones weighing between 250g and 25kg. Most of these new laws, including those described in our earlier blog post, will come into force and effect starting June 1, 2019.

The full text of the official regulations has been published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, and can be found here. A fulsome summary and highlights of the official regulations will follow shortly.

Transport Canada Provides Insight into Changes to Drone Regulations and Confirms 2018 Release

Posted on November 5, 2018 By Kathryn McCulloch
Categories: Commentary, Regulations

Transport Canada recently provided industry leaders with a preview of the final version of the official regulations for small drones (250g-25kg) operated within visual line-of-sight. Since the proposed text of the regulations was released in July 2017, Canadians have been eagerly awaiting the final version. At the 2018 Unmanned Systems Canada Conference, Transport Canada representatives revealed the key changes that will be reflected in the official text of the regulations (upon their release at some point in 2018).

Over the last year, Transport Canada consulted with stakeholders in the RPAS industry and the Canadian public regarding the proposed text of the regulations.

Judge Convicts and Fines Canadian for Flying Drone Near Airport

Posted on October 29, 2018 By Kathryn McCulloch
Categories: Commentary, Legislations, Regulations

On October 26, 2018, a Canadian man was convicted and fined for operating his drone within 30 feet of the approach path at the airport in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories (Airport Station Code: YZF).

Toufic Chamas was convicted under s. 77(e) of the Criminal Code of Canada for endangering aviation safety near an airport through the operation of a drone and was fined $3,000. According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and as reported by the CBC, this is the first drone-related conviction of its kind under the Criminal Code of Canada.

Mr. Chamas’ sentence for the drone offence was jointly recommended by the prosecution and the accused to the presiding judge (known as a “joint submission”).

Canadian National Parks are No Place for Your Drone

Posted on April 16, 2018 By Kathryn McCulloch
Categories: Commentary, Regulations

Even though spring will soon be here, packing your drone up with your camping gear or picnic supplies for a trip through one of Canada’s national parks is still a no-go.

Parks Canada prohibits the recreational flight of drones in Canada’s national parks. Drone flight within the parks is cited as a potential source of danger for wildlife and visitors, according to the Parks Canada website.

Non-recreational use is permitted in some circumstances; it requires the advanced permission of the Parks Canada Field Unit Superintendent, as well as adherence to the requirements for drone flight set out in the Canadian Aviation Regulations.