There is a difference of opinion among experts when it comes to discussing drone regulations in Canada. Where on one hand, experts believe that the permissive approach adopted by Canadian regulatory authorities has resulted in Canada being the world leader in drone technology; on the other hand, some experts believe that allowing individuals to use drones freely is bound to put public at risk because these unmanned aircrafts have been observed to cause difficulties for other aircrafts.
Recreational use of drones is very affordable which has resulted in its increased use. However, the rise in drone usage coupled with lack of awareness among users has resulted in an increase in risk of collision of these devices with manned aircrafts. There has been an increase in the number of incidents which involve a collision between drones and other aircrafts such as helicopters and planes. Due to a rise in such incidents, there has been an increasing emphasis over Canadian regulatory authorities to ensure stricter action against unlawful drone users.
The current regulations in Canada do not require a license or permit for the drone operator who recreationally uses a drone weighing less than 35 kilograms, however he/she must ensure that the safety guidelines provided by Transport Canada are complied with. The safety guidelines include restrictions such as: the drone should not be operated within nine kilometers from an airport, it should be operated at a height under 90 meters, and it should never leave the sight of the operator. However, it has been observed that there is lack of enforcement of these regulations.
According to experts, the main reason behind the lack of enforcement is the lack of resources required to ensure compliance at such a large scale. While regulations for commercial usage are enforced appropriately, there is a need for effective enforcement of regulations for individuals.
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