Transport Canada is committed to enhancing the safety and security of Canadians while fostering innovation as it continues to explore the use of unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones, to fulfil its mandate.

The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, has granted the UAS Centre of Excellence approval to begin operations at their test range in Alma, QC.This test range facilitates research and development and provides the industry with dedicated, restricted airspace where they can test drones beyond visual line-of-sight.

In partnership with the Iqaluit-based company Arctic UAV Inc. and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Transport Canada will be one of the first to operate at the new test range this week as the department begins trials with a Sea-Hunter drone.

The trials will provide hands-on experience operating sophisticated drones and will help develop procedures, training, and risk assessment tools for surveillance operations in Northern Canada.

Transport Canada intends to acquire a system that would use drones to survey ice and oil spills in the Canadian Arctic. In anticipation of these activities, the department awarded a contract to Arctic UAV to conduct several research and development flight trials over the next three years.