Customers often expect retailers to provide information about licensing and safety from the place they buy their drone. Retailers can use these products to support a safe and educated drone community.
On this page
- Drone safety assurance declaration
- Inform your customers
- Videos
- Social media
- Visual Resources / Infographics
- Download or order print materials
- More swag
Drone safety assurance declaration
If you build or modify drones, you can submit a drone safety assurance declaration to Transport Canada identifying the capabilities of the system.
Inform your customers
If their drone weighs 250 grams or more, they must:
- register it and mark it with its registration number
- pass an online exam
- get a drone pilot certificate
If their drone weighs less than 250 grams, they don’t need to register it or get a pilot certificate, but they must fly safely and legally.
There are several categories of drone operations. When a customer is buying a drone, it's important they understand and select a drone accordingly.
Canada.ca/drone-safety has all of the services and information they’ll need to get flying.
Videos
See our full “Know Before You Go” playlist on YouTube or check out these videos.
| Title | Description | Length | Preview |
|---|---|---|---|
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Flying a drone for the first time? Learn about some of the important rules, tips and best practices that you need to keep in mind to fly your drone safely and respectfully. Know before you go! |
2:24 |
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Getting ready to fly your drone? Learn what you need to do before heading out for a flight. Know before you go! |
2:04 |
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Interested in aviation for fun, research or a career? Explore the possibilities by starting with a drone pilot certificate. Know before you go! |
00:51 |
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Social media - #dronesafety
We are on social media. Like, share, or retweet our posts to promote drone safety and the new rules.
- Twitter: @Transport_gc
- Facebook: @TransportandInfrastructureinCanada
- Instagram: @transportcanada
Follow:
Visual Resources / Infographics
Retailers and collaborators are encouraged to use/embed TC infographics, web banners, and YouTube videos.
How to mark your drone:
(PDF, 443 KB)
Text description
Know before you go!
How to mark your drone:
Register your drone through the Drone Management Portal
Mark your drone with its registration number.
(Image of a drone and zoom in on its registration number: C-1827459426)
The registration number must be clearly visible on the drone.
You can use:
- permanent marker
- permanent label
- engraving
Know before you go!
Wildfires and drones
(PDF 926 Kb)
Text description
Know before you go!
Wildfires and drones
The airspace around and over a wildfire is closed to all aircraft, including drones, except those directly involved in fighting fires.
While some emergency response teams use drones to fight wildfires, flying a drone over or near a wildfire without permission increases the risk that a firefighting aircraft will collide with the drone. If a drone is spotted in the area, emergency response teams need to ground their operations, which puts lives at risk.
Canadian law requires all drone pilots to fly according to the Canadian Aviation Regulations, which state that only someone with permission can fly a drone over a wildfire, or within 9.3 kilometres (5 NM) of a wildfire.
You could face serious penalties, including fines and/or jail time, if you break the rules.
Before flying a drone in the summer months, make sure there are no smoke plumes or active wildfires nearby. Check local sources of information, such as the fire management agency website (English only) for your region, and NAV Drone, which provides real-time access to Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) and restricted airspace information.
Know before you go!
Privacy guidelines for drone operator
(PDF 973 Kb)
Text description
Know before you go!
Privacy guidelines for drone operators
Recreational drone operators
Before you fly your drone, understand the rules you must follow.
Keep in mind the following privacy guidelines when operating recreational drones:
Be responsible
You’re in charge of any personal information your drone collects. Personal information includes: a person’s name, a photo of their face, or their licence plate.
Limit the data you collect
Don’t collect personal information you don’t need. Make sure any personal information you capture without consent can’t be identified. For example, blur faces or licence plates.
Get permission
If you’ll likely capture personal information on your flight, do your best to inform the people you film and get their permission.
Store information securely
If you save recordings that contain personal information, take steps so only you can access the information.
Be open about what you’re doing
If someone complains that your drone use is affecting their privacy, make sure to respond with respect and courtesy.
Violating some parts of a person’s privacy could result in criminal charges relating to:
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voyeurism
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mischief
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creating a nuisance
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violations of provincial or municipal laws
Commercial drone operators
Businesses in Canada must follow the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) when using drones.
Under PIPEDA, you must get consent to collect, use and share personal information with others. In order for consent to be valid, people must understand what they are agreeing to.
Your business must handle people’s personal information professionally and with respect. This includes explaining why you need to collect personal information and giving people access to their personal information.
You’re responsible for protecting and handling personal information throughout your business.
Who doesn’t need to follow PIPEDA?
PIPEDA doesn’t apply if your organization operates only within Alberta, British Columbia, or Quebec; however, other provincial privacy laws still apply. PIPEDA also doesn’t apply if you’re collecting, using, or sharing personal information for:
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journalism
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art
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books
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academic research
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not-for-profit organizations or charities
Help us spread the word about drones and forest fires!
Connect with Transport Canada on social media. Join the conversation and help promote safe drone operations, especially during wildfire season, by using the hashtag #DroneSafety.
Download these graphics to use them on your social media channels:
Download or order print materials
You can use our official material in-store or on location. Guide people to where they can find the rules or order something that people can take with them.
Postcards
Drone Safety
Know before you go!
Text description
Drone Safety
Know before you go!
When you fly your drone, you’re a pilot.
Understand the rules that apply to you and where it’s safe to fly. Register your drone and get your pilot certificate online at: Canada.ca/drone-safety.
Know before you go!
Flying a drone for fun?
When you fly a drone, you’re a pilot.
Text description
Know before you go!
Flying a drone for fun?
When you fly a drone, you’re a pilot.
Understand the rules and find out where it’s safe to fly.
If your drone weighs 250 grams or more, you must:
- register it and mark it with its registration number
- pass an online exam
- get a drone pilot certificate
If your drone weighs less than 250 grams, you don’t need to register it or get a pilot certificate, but you must fly safely and legally.
Always:
- use good judgement and watch for hazards
- fly your drone in a way that keeps everyone safe, including aircraft in the air and people on the ground
- follow all privacy and trespassing laws
All drone pilots need special permission to fly any drone at an advertised event.
Learn more: Canada.ca/fly-drones-safely
Note: These postcards are bilingual and are printed double sided in English and French. Full colour
Size: 5” x 7” with bleed
While supplies last, you can order a free shipment of up to 100 of these postcards. Email TC.RPASInfo-InfoSATP.TC@tc.gc.ca to order.
More swag
Want to help us promote drone safety, but you don’t see anything here that works for you? Email us with your idea for a different product, and we’ll see what we can do!