New Drone Safety Laws Are Beginning to be Implemented

While global progress on this grey area is still to come, Canadians at least, can now expect to feel safe on the ground and in the sky. The number of incidents involving recreational drones has more than tripled since 2014, prompting the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport to recently introduce a measure to prevent the reckless use of drones that is putting the safety of Canadians at risk.

The key new rules are that recreational drone operators must mark their drone with their contact information, and may not fly:

• higher than 90 metres;
• at night;
• within 75 metres of buildings, vehicles or people; or
• within 9 kilometres of the centre of any airport, heliport, aerodrome or water aerodrome where aircraft take off and land.

Operators of drones for commercial, academic or research purposes are not affected by this measure. The rules that are already in place are effective and most commercial users operate their drones in a safe manner.

Any recreational operator who fails to comply with the new flying restrictions and conditions could be subject to fines of up to $3,000. Call 911 or your local law enforcement agency immediately if you witness illegal drone use.

The Honourable Marc Garneau Minister of Transport, said: “I take very seriously the increased risk to aviation safety and to people on the ground caused by drones. That is why I am proceeding with this measure which takes effect immediately—to enhance the safety of aviation and the public while we work to bring into force permanent regulations.”

Chief Superintendent Eric Stubbs of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said: “The RCMP encourages recreational drone users to be responsible when operating in public places. We encourage all drone operators to think about the safety of those around them, and follow the new regulations at all times.”

“This is good news for all airlines, their passengers and crews, but also for the general public,” said Jean-François Lemay, President of Air Transat. “Drones, which are constantly increasing in number, can pose a real threat to civil aviation if they are not used responsibly. We are very pleased to see that the Minister of Transport is concerned about this issue and is acting quickly.” Mr. Lemay continued: “These new rules, which go into effect immediately, will prevent accidents both on the ground and in the air and pave the way for a permanent law.”

“While these rules will have no direct impact on our business, we support them because they begin to establish ground rules and allow us to move forward in working with government to establish policies and regulations that keep pace with the progress being made by the industry,” says Richard Buzbuzian, President, Drone Delivery Canada. “Right now those regulations are lagging behind the progress that is being made. We want to join forces and work together with government so that we are no longer operating in a regulatory, legal and ethical vacuum.”

(Source: Transport Canada, Air Transat, Drone Delivery Canada)