Comprehensive Overview of Upcoming Drone Regulations in Canada

Canada has officially enacted long-anticipated changes to its drone regulations, with a sharp focus on enabling Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) operations and introducing new accountability and certification measures. These updated rules, effective April 1, 2025, are designed to expand operational capabilities, streamline approvals, and support the safe growth of the drone industry in Canada.

Routine BVLOS Operations Now Permitted

Key Updates:

• No More SFOCs for Lower-Risk BVLOS Flights: The requirement to obtain a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) has been removed for certain routine BVLOS operations. This applies to drones up to 150 kg operating in sparsely populated areas, at low altitudes, and within uncontrolled airspace.

• Technical Standards Introduced: Drones must meet new technical specifications for command and control systems. Detection and avoidance technology remains essential for airspace awareness.

• Expanded Use Cases: These changes pave the way for routine applications like remote deliveries, infrastructure inspections, wildfire monitoring, and emergency response beyond the pilot’s line of sight.(Canada.ca)​​​.

New Pilot Certification and Responsibility Requirements

• BVLOS-Specific Certification: Operators must now hold certifications tailored for BVLOS operations, which include updated knowledge requirements and operational competencies.

• Accountable Executive Mandate: Every RPAS operator must now appoint an accountable executive responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance across the organization. This brings drone operations closer in line with traditional aviation oversight models.

Updated Operational Rules and Safety Measures

• Increased Separation Distances: New requirements have been introduced for separation from aerodromes, heliports, and people during advanced or BVLOS operations.

• Control Station and Link Standards: Definitions around “control station” and “command and control link” have been clarified, standardizing RPAS communications terminology in Canada.

Enforcement and Penalties

• Structured Penalty Framework: A revised penalty structure has been established for non-compliance. This includes maximum fines for individuals and corporations, reinforcing the importance of maintaining safe and legal drone operations.

Ongoing Requirements for All Drone Operators

• Drone Registration: All drones between 250 g and 25 kg must be registered with Transport Canada. The registration number must be clearly displayed on the aircraft.

Pilot Certification

• • Basic Operations: Requires the Small Basic Exam.

  • Advanced Operations: Requires passing the Small Advanced Exam and completing a flight review with an approved reviewer.

Minimum Age Requirements

• • Basic Operations: 14 years.

  • Advanced Operations: 16 years.

  • Supervised Flights: Younger individuals may fly under supervision.

In-Depth Breakdown of Canada’s Finalized 2025 Drone Regulations

1. Routine BVLOS Operations Now Permitted

What’s changed:

Transport Canada now allows routine BVLOS operations without requiring a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) for certain conditions. This includes drones:

• Weighing up to 150 kilograms

• Operating in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace

• Flying over sparsely populated areas

• Conducting low-altitude flights

Key implications:

• SFOC exemption: Previously, nearly all BVLOS operations required case-by-case approval through an SFOC. Under the new rules, qualified operators can conduct eligible BVLOS flights as part of standard operations.

• Operational flexibility: This change opens doors for commercial operators to conduct regular, scalable services, such as long-range inspections, precision agriculture, and remote deliveries.

2. New BVLOS Pilot Certification

What’s changed:

• Transport Canada introduces a new class of pilot certification specific to BVLOS operations.

• Operators must pass updated knowledge requirements related to:

  • Detect-and-avoid capabilities

  • Command and control link understanding

  • Emergency procedures during BVLOS operations

  • Airspace integration and human factors

Medical standard:

• A new medical fitness requirement (Drone Pilot Medical Standard) may be introduced based on the risk category, though details remain forthcoming.

Training implications:

• Expect new certification programs to become available from accredited RPAS training organizations, with a curriculum aligned to BVLOS knowledge areas.

3. Accountable Executive Requirement

What’s changed:

• All RPAS operators conducting advanced or BVLOS operations must designate an Accountable Executive.

• This individual will:

  • Hold overall responsibility for safety and regulatory compliance

  • Oversee internal quality assurance and risk management programs

  • Be accountable to Transport Canada in the event of safety violations or incidents

Impact:

• This mirrors similar structures in traditional aviation (e.g., Air Operator Certificate holders).

• It introduces corporate accountability to drone programs, encouraging a more mature safety culture.

4. New Definitions and Technical Framework

Key definitions added to the CARs:

• Command and Control (C2) Link: The data link between the RPAS and the control station that enables control of the drone and reception of telemetry.

• Control Station: The equipment used by the pilot to control the RPAS.

• C2 Performance Requirements: The link must provide secure, continuous communication, with fail-safe protocols if the link is lost.

Why this matters:

• These definitions clarify responsibilities for hardware and software systems that were previously vaguely defined.

• Operators must ensure their systems meet specific standards for latency, signal integrity, and redundancy.

5. Revised Operational and Safety Measures

New rules for BVLOS safety:

• Increased separation distances from aerodromes, heliports, and other aircraft must be maintained.

• Flight planning requirements now include:

  • Contingency plans for lost link or system failure

  • Designated emergency landing zones

  • Up-to-date geofencing or airspace restriction awareness

Detect and avoid expectations:

• While not requiring full onboard autonomous DAA systems for all flights, operators must demonstrate:

  • Situational awareness via telemetry and airspace data

  • Procedures to yield right-of-way and avoid conflict with other airspace users

6. Updated Penalty and Enforcement Framework

New penalty structure:

• Clear maximum fines are now codified for:

  • Individuals: Up to $5,000 per offence

  • Corporations: Up to $25,000 per offence

Purpose:

• This enforces a more consistent legal framework for violations.

• It provides Transport Canada with improved tools to address negligent or non-compliant operations, particularly for high-risk or repeated offences.

7. Continuing Requirements for All Drone Operators

These remain unchanged but are reinforced under the new amendments:

Drone Registration:

• All drones between 250 g and 25 kg must be registered.

• Registration number must be visibly displayed on the aircraft.

Pilot Certification:

• Basic Operations:

  • Must pass the Small Basic Exam

  • Cannot fly over people or in controlled airspace

• Advanced Operations:

  • Must pass the Small Advanced Exam

  • Must complete a Flight Review

  • Requires NAV CANADA approval to fly in controlled airspace

Age Requirements:

• Basic: Minimum age is 14

• Advanced: Minimum age is 16

• Supervised flying: Underage individuals may operate under direct supervision of a certified pilot

Implementation Timeline

• The changes are published in Canada Gazette, Part II, on March 26, 2025

• They take full legal effect on April 1, 2025

Why These Changes Matter

These regulatory amendments signal a pivotal shift in Canada’s approach to RPAS integration:

• More autonomy for operators: Routine BVLOS is now a real option, not a regulatory hurdle.

• Commercial viability: Reduces administrative overhead for industries relying on medium-size RPAS.

• Regulatory maturity: Aligns Canada with international counterparts in the U.S. and Europe, who have already begun enabling BVLOS at scale.

• Safety focus: By codifying standards and accountability, the government ensures risk is balanced with innovation.

Conclusion

The finalized 2025 drone regulations represent a major step forward in making Canadian airspace more accessible and commercially viable for drones. By allowing routine BVLOS operations without an SFOC and introducing clear certification and accountability frameworks, Transport Canada is enabling safer, more predictable growth in the RPAS sector. These changes benefit industries ranging from logistics and emergency services to agriculture and environmental science.

For detailed information and to provide feedback, visit the Canada Gazette and Transport Canada’s Drone Safety pages.

For a better understanding of the acronyms used in this article visit our page detailing every known acronym in the drone industry.