Canada’s new drone laws to take immediate effect

With the number if incidents involving drones, or UAVs, having tripled in the last three years, Canada’s Minster of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau, has introduced a measure to prevent the reckless use of drones. The measure will take immediate effect and will last for a period of one year until permanent regulations are put in place.
Making the announcement in the company of airport, airline and pilot representatives at Billy Bishop Toronto Airport on March 16, Garneau has introduced a new set of rules which will affect pilots of drones weighing between 250g and 35kg and which are flown for entertainment and/or recreational purposes. In brief, all drone operators:
• must mark their drone with their contact information;
• may not fly higher than 90 meters;
• may not fly at night;
• may not fly within 75 meters of buildings, vehicles or people; or
• may not fly within 9 kilometers of the centre of any airport, heliport, aerodrome or water aerodrome where aircraft take off and land.
For those persons wishing to fly drones for commercial and or academic/research purposes, the existing regulations remain in force and would appear to be working.
Garneau is quoted as saying that: “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.”