It is always important to be aware of where you are flying and what content if any is being captured by your drone. Although drones are not expressly mentioned in Canadian privacy law, it will still apply to any content captured by the drone and to any users of the drone.

Drone operators must respect individuals’ privacy rights, including obtaining consent before capturing personal information, notifying people when they are being recorded, and adhering to federal and provincial privacy laws.

Privacy laws

The Federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)  governs how businesses in Canada collect, use, and disclose personal information in the course of commercial activities.

Provincial freedom of information and privacy legislation:

• • Alberta Personal Information Protection Act
  • British Columbia Personal Information Protection Act
  • Manitoba The Privacy Act
  • New Brunswick Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Privacy Act
  • Nova Scotia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
  • Nunavut Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPP)
  • Ontario Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA)
  • Prince Edward Island Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
  • Quebec An Act respecting access to documents held by public bodies and the protection of personal information and An Act respecting the protection of personal information in the private sector
  • Saskatchewan The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
  • Yukon Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act

To remain compliant with applicable laws be sure you are always taking reasonable steps to limit the personal information that is recorded by your drone, such as videos or pictures of faces or licence plates. If personal information is captured, you can take steps to blur faces and licences plates if the content was captured without consent.

Visit Transport Canada for more information on the safe and legal use of drones.

Changes to operation rules

As per Transport Canada, Canada’s drone operations changed on November 4, 2025. Fees have been introduced for new exams, certificates, and declarations. Pilot licensing and drone registration are now based on the new rules, which include changes to flying:

• extended visual line-of-sight (EVLOS) operations,
• beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations, and
• Sheltered operation (flights with a small drone that are close to a structure, such as a building).

Visit Transport Canada’s 2025 Summary of changes to Canada’s drone regulations for the most up-to-date information.

								
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