Photography & Drones — Canada
What travelers need to know about photography & drones in Canada. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.
Photography & Drones in Canada: restricted — there are real limits travelers must follow.
You cannot register a drone in Canada as a foreigner - Transport Canada says so in terms. So anything 250 g or heavier needs a Foreign Special Flight Operations Certificate, and the service standard for a recreational one is 30 business days: this is not something you arrange after you land. Under 250 g you need nothing. A Canadian pilot certificate is open to you and your US drone licence does not substitute for it, but the certificate alone still does not let you fly.
Transport Canada fines for individuals: up to CAD $1,000 for flying without a drone pilot certificate; up to CAD $3,000 for flying where you are not allowed; up to CAD $3,000 for putting aircraft and people at risk; up to CAD $5,000 for flying an unregistered or unmarked drone. Corporations face CAD $5,000, $15,000, $15,000 and $25,000 respectively. Breaking more than one rule can bring multiple penalties, and TC warns that jail time is possible.
§ Transport Canada - Drone safety