06/10/2026
Public Safety Notice: Do Not Shoot At, Damage, Grab, Chase, Jam, or Interfere With a Drone
There is a common misconception that a person “owns” all of the airspace above their property. That is not how aviation law works in Canada.
A property owner does not own or control the navigable airspace above their land. Drones are aircraft, and drone pilots operate under Transport Canada rules, airspace rules, privacy obligations, and public safety requirements.
If you believe a drone is being flown improperly, too close to people, in a restricted area, or in a way that violates your privacy, the proper response is to document it and report it.
The proper response is not to shoot at it.
Shooting at a drone, attempting to bring it down, damaging it, grabbing it, throwing objects at it, interfering with the pilot, or otherwise obstructing the operation can expose a person to serious legal consequences, including possible Criminal Code charges such as:
• careless use of a firearm
• reckless discharge of a firearm
• mischief / property damage
• endangering public safety
• endangering the safety of an aircraft
• seizure of fi****ms
• fi****ms licence consequences
• restitution for damage or replacement costs
• possible jail time depending on the facts
Some of these offences carry extremely serious potential penalties. For example, endangering the safety of an aircraft or airport under the Criminal Code can carry a sentence of up to life imprisonment.
A drone in the air may also be carrying live flight data, video evidence, GPS logs, pilot records, and aircraft registration information. In other words, interfering with a drone is usually not anonymous and can be documented very clearly.
If a drone is operating lawfully, leave it alone.
If a drone is operating unlawfully, report it through the proper channels.
Do not turn a drone complaint into a fi****ms incident.