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ARTICLE · 10 AUGUST 2026

Transport Canada Proposes Remote ID, Community-based Organizations And Designated RPAS Airspace Regulations

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Transport Canada has proposed three major amendments to the Canadian Aviation Regulations affecting remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS): Remote Identification requirements for drones weighing 250g-150kg, the introduction of Community-Based Organization status for recreational drone groups, and new designated airspaces with geo-awareness functions. With implementation expected between 2028-2030 and a consultation period closing September 9, 2026, these changes will fundamentally reshape how drones are i

CanadaTransport
Erika Carrasco
Erika Carrasco
Sage Blacklavender
Sage Blacklavender
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This insight was prepared with the assistance of Summer Law Student Kathryn Lyon.

The use of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) in Canada is rapidly growing. With over 116,000 RPAS registrations in 2025, many industries are recognizing the benefits RPAS can have on their operations. In order to accommodate the increase in air activity caused by the use of RPAS, on June 8, 2026, Transport Canada (TC) proposed three significant amendments to the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs):

  1. Remote Identification (Remote ID)
  2. Community Based Organizations (CBOs)
  3. New Designated Airspaces

Why this matters

These proposals represent some of the most significant RPAS regulatory changes since the introduction of Part IX of the Canadian Aviation Regulations. If adopted, they would influence how drones are identified in flight, how certain organizations conduct operations and how pilots access and comply with airspace restrictions. Although implementation remains several years away, the

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