Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 09 JUNE 2016

Regulations and Drone Certification: Don't Fly by the Seat of your Pants

Lerners LLP
Explore more from Lerners LLP

With the increasing number of drones present in the skies, there has been a heightened focus on regulating drone operation in Canada.

CanadaTransport
Joseph Hentz
Joseph Hentz
Author LinkedIn connections

With the increasing number of drones present in the skies, there has been a heightened focus on regulating drone operation in Canada. Currently, Transport Canada has jurisdiction of the civil use of drones, and has been spearheading development of the regulations in conjunction with various stakeholders, including the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.

Prior to using your drone in either a recreational or commercial context, you must consider whether it is necessary to obtain a Special Flight Operations Certificate ("SFOC") which can be obtained through a Regional Transport Canada General Aviation Office. An SFOC is used to grant authorization for drone flights, but generally limits drone operators to flying in a certain geographical area for a specific purpose. In 2012, Transport Canada issued 345 SFOCs. By 2014, this number had grown to 1,672, representing growth of 485% in a mere two years.1

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

Quebec’s New Truck Licence Transfer Rules: What Ontario Carriers Need To Do Now

Ontario commercial truck drivers with less than two years of heavy-truck experience must now pass a practical road test administered by Quebec's SAAQ before transferring their licence to operate heavy vehicles in the province. This new requirement follows fatal collisions and an Ontario Auditor General audit that exposed significant gaps in training standards and provider oversight. Carriers operating across the border need to factor these requirements into workforce planning, recruitment timelines, and dis
CanadaTransport
Miller Thomson
Miller Thomson
Article

Nouvelles règles québécoises sur l’échange des permis de conduire de véhicules lourds : quelles sont les mesures à prendre par les transporteurs ontariens

Ontario truck drivers with less than two years of commercial heavy vehicle experience must now pass a practical road test administered by Quebec's SAAQ before exchanging their license to drive commercial heavy vehicles in the province. This new requirement follows a series of collisions involving heavy trucks in Quebec and a May 2026 audit revealing significant gaps in Ontario's training standards and oversight of providers. Carriers operating across the Ontario-Quebec border must now factor these requireme
CanadaTransport
Miller Thomson
Miller Thomson
Article

Cleared For Investment: Canada Opens The Door To Private Capital At Its Largest Airports

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced plans to seek private investment through long-term concessions to operate Canada's four largest airports: Toronto Pearson, Vancouver, Montréal-Trudeau and Calgary. While the government would retain ownership of underlying land and assets, this represents a fundamental shift from the current not-for-profit airport authority model that has governed these facilities since the 1990s.
CanadaTransport
McMillan LLP
McMillan LLP
Article

Canada Commits To Airport Privatization Through Long-Term Concessions For Its Four Largest Airports

The Canadian federal government has announced a firm commitment to privatize operations at the country's four largest airports through long-term concessions, marking a decisive shift from earlier exploratory discussions. Prime Minister Mark Carney revealed that while the government will retain ownership of airport lands and assets following the Australian leased-airport model, private investment will be sought to operate Toronto Pearson, Vancouver, Montreal-Trudeau, and Calgary international airports.
CanadaTransport
McCarthy Tétrault
McCarthy Tétrault
Article

Airport Privatization: Models, International Experience, And The Canadian Legal Landscape

Editor's note (September 15, 2026): Following publication of this article, Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed plans to open Canada's four largest airports to private investment through long-term operating concessions, while retaining government ownership of the land and underlying assets. The announcement marks a significant step toward the alternative ownership and operating models explored below.
CanadaTransport
Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG
Article

Lights, Camera Infractions: A Review Of Ontario’s Automatic Enforcement System Offence Regime, The Risks To Commercial Vehicle Carriers And How Operators Can Protect Themselves

Ontario's automatic enforcement system (AES) offences, captured by red light cameras and similar technology, pose significant regulatory risks to commercial vehicle carriers. These offences carry the maximum 5 CVOR penalty points—equivalent to impaired driving or criminal negligence—yet are nearly impossible to defend or resolve through plea negotiations.
CanadaTransport
Gardiner Roberts LLP
Gardiner Roberts LLP
Article

Ontario's New Road Safety Measure, And What It Means To Your Insurance Rates

If you put winter tires on your car this winter, your insurance company owes you a discount. The announcement was made by the Ontario government on October 14, 2015. As of January 1, 2016, all insurance companies operating in Ontario are required to provide a discount to their policyholders using winter tires. The announcement was made by the Ontario government on October 14, 2015. As of January 1, 2016, all insurance companies operating in Ontario are required to provide a discount to their
CanadaInsurance
Lerners LLP
Lerners LLP
Article

Demystifying The 2L Recruit: A Personal Guide To Success

Navigating the 2L law school recruitment process can feel overwhelming, but understanding what to expect at each stage—from summer coffee chats and brief OCI interviews to intensive in-firm interview weeks—can transform anxiety into confidence. Drawing from personal experience at Lerners LLP, this guide reveals how preparation, authenticity, and strategic relationship-building lead to recruitment success and finding the right firm fit.
CanadaEmployment and HR
Lerners LLP
Lerners LLP