Drone use policy

For recreational purposes:

For health and safety reasons, it is prohibited to use an unmanned air vehicle (UAV), an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) or a drone (hereafter collectively referred to as a “drone”) for recreational purposes above the Samuel De Champlain Bridge and the entire corridor managed by Signature on the Saint Lawrence (SSL), no matter the weight of the drone. If a drone is used in violation of this policy, SSL reserves the right to take all necessary measures, including appropriate legal recourse, to stop this unauthorized use.

For non-recreational purposes:

For non-recreational use, you must first comply with all Transport Canada requirements. In this regard, please see the Transport Canada website for the applicable details.

Once you have obtained the required authorizations from Transport Canada, where applicable, you must contact the SSL’s Communications Department in the Contact Us section of the website, to obtain written authorization to use a drone on Samuel De Champlain Bridge and the entire corridor managed by SSL.

To obtain this authorization, you must fill out a Task Security Analysis form in which you will describe the activity, the locations where you wish to use the drone, the stages of the task, the potential risks and the mitigation measures that will be used in the event of a problem. The following documents and any other document that SSL may find relevant must also be submitted with your Task Security Analysis form:

  • Transport Canada Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC)
  • Proof of liability insurance coverage of at least $5,000,000 in case of an accident
  • Professional pilot training certification for light drones

Once the form is completed, please return it, with the supporting documents, to SSL. Please note that the use of a drone over the bridge or corridor territory must always comply with the following rules:

  • Do not fly over workers and maintain a distance of at least 150 metres between the drone and all workers, buildings, structures or vehicles
  • Stay a safe distance downstream of a worksite
  • Do not fly over the existing Champlain Bridge
  • Stay at least 100 metres away from the existing Champlain Bridge or any other distance established by the competent authorities
  • Stay at least 100 metres away from any vessel or watercraft or any other distance established by the competent authorities
  • Be accompanied by a trained observer while flying the drone

SSL will issue a letter stating whether it authorizes the presence of the drone on the project, and any such authorization will entail several conditions, including SSL’s right to modify or revoke the authorization at any time. Furthermore, if SSL authorizes the use of a drone, a designated representative of the company will have to accompany you at all times.

Please note that drone users must also comply with all other applicable laws and regulations, including the Criminal Code, provincial laws and municipal bylaws concerning intrusion and the protection of privacy. In this regard, SSL reserves the right to confiscate any images and/or photographs and/or videos that may be taken during the drone’s flight over the Samuel De Champlain Bridge and the entire corridor managed by SSL, to ensure that the applicable privacy laws and regulations are upheld.