Garneau enacts new rules, fines for drones flown too close to airports
OTTAWA — The federal government is bringing in strict measures and fines for anyone who flies a drone too close to an airport or plane.
Transport Minister Marc Garneau on Thursday unveiled restrictions to curb the number of incidents in which recreational drones have come too close to planes, which has more than tripled since 2014.
Garneau says the government wanted to make the changes before a drone hits an airplane and causes a catastrophe.
“That’s the kind of nightmare scenario that keeps me awake at night as your transport minister,” Garneau said at Toronto’s Billy Bishop airport, where he was accompanied by law enforcement officials and representatives from airlines, airports and pilot associations.