New Canadian Rules for Drones Revealed

ClickAddict · Mar 16, 2017

New rules for recreational drones in Canada set out where, when they can fly

Some interesting new rules being implemented. (Immediately)
Especially the 75 meters near buildings. Obviously aimed at "peeping drones".

ClickAddict · Mar 16, 2017

Since some people don't follow links: Article By Andrew Foote, CBC News Posted: Mar 16, 2017 9:54 AM ET Last Updated: Mar 16, 2017 11:01 AM ET:

Recreational drone users in Canada face new restrictions on where and when they can fly their remote-controlled devices, under new rules being announced today by Transportation Minister Marc Garneau.

The rules, which are effective immediately, mean recreational users will face a fine of up to $3,000 if drones weighing more than 250 grams are caught flying:

Higher than 90 metres.
Within 75 metres of buildings, vehicles, vessels, animals or people.
More than 500 metres away from you.
At night, in clouds or somewhere you can't see it.
Within nine kilometres of somewhere aircraft take off or land, or a forest fire.
Without your name, address and phone number marked on the drone itself.
Over forest fires, emergency response scenes or controlled airspace.

Some of those rules existed only as guidelines before the announcement, Garneau said, with no penalties for breaking them.

RCMP Chief Supt. Brian Stubbs said at the announcement at Toronto's downtown Billy Bishop Airport that police could really only penalize someone using a drone dangerously if they broke a section of the Criminal Code, such as criminal negligence.

Thursday's announcement gives police another tool to keep people safe, he said.

More incidents being reported
Garneau pointed out that people who use drones for commercial, academic or research reasons already have to get a special certificate, and most fly them safely.

But he added that Transport Canada has noticed a large increase in the number of safety incidents involving drones in the last three years: 41 in 2014, 85 in 2015 and 148 last year.

He said an overhaul of Canada's regulations for all unmanned aircraft is coming in June, but there's an urgent need to do something now.

"The government certainly doesn't want to restrict drones so much that we hinder innovation, because it's so important to our economy and standard of living," Garneau said.

"But like any new technology, drones must be used with care. And we cannot wait for something bad to happen before we react."

Effect on urban users?
In a statement, the Ottawa International Airport Authority called this a "necessary and welcome move."

"As drones grow in popularity, we need to work closely together to ensure that our skies remain safe for aviation activity while keeping communities safe from collateral harm," said Mark Laroche, the airport authority's president and CEO.

Others wondered where drone users would have left to fly.

New drone rule banning use within 9km of where aircraft take off should mean no drones anywhere in @CityOfVictoria due to float planes. #yyj Andrew Foote on Twitter

— @GregorCraigie

The proposed recreational drone rules would effectively ban drones everywhere in Toronto, except Scarborough. @amkfoote pic.twitter.com/tv6r6q8C1y

— @johnbowman

Much of Halifax just became a no-drone zone... Brett Ruskin on Twitter

— @Brett_CBC

Derrel · Mar 16, 2017

I was surprised to see the tweet from the guy who stated that the entire city of Victoria would effectively be a no-drone zone, due to the 9km aircraft takeoff/landing ban, due to the fact that Victoria has seaplanes that use the water areas bordering the city.