Laser offences become ticketable

Summary#

These final regulations, Regulations Amending the Contraventions Regulations (Schedule XVII): SOR/2020-123, add two laser-related aviation offences to the federal ticketing schedule so they can be enforced with on-the-spot tickets. They were registered on June 1, 2020 and published in the Canada Gazette on June 10, 2020; they come into force either when the related laser rules take effect or, if later, on the registration date.

What it does#

• Adds a new Schedule XVII to the Contraventions Regulations listing two offences from the Canadian Aviation Regulations.
• Creates two ticketable contraventions, each with a set fine of $1,000:
  • Subsection 601.19(1) — possession of a hand-held laser that exceeds the allowed power output in certain areas (short description: "Possession of a hand-held laser that exceeds the specified power output rating in a specified area").
  • Section 601.20 — projecting or causing to be projected a directed bright light source into navigable airspace.
• Lets police and other enforcement officers use the Contraventions Act ticketing process for these specific laser offences, so tickets can be issued on the spot rather than requiring a separate Transport Canada authorization.

Who's affected#

• People who point lasers at aircraft or carry powerful hand-held lasers near airports.
• Pilots and flight crews, because the changes aim to reduce laser incidents that can distract or temporarily blind them.
• Police and other enforcement officers, who gain a simpler tool to issue fines for these offences.
• Airports and airlines, which may see fewer laser-related incidents and related delays or safety risks.
• Note: the ticketing process under the Contraventions Act applies only where that regime has been implemented — the Gazette notes it had not been implemented in Alberta, Saskatchewan and the territories at the time of the notice.

Why it matters#

• Gives frontline officers a faster and simpler way to punish laser attacks on aircraft. That can deter dangerous behaviour and reduce risks to flight crews and passengers during critical flight phases.
• The fines are fixed ($1,000), so offenders can pay quickly without going through a longer criminal court process.
• These regulations do not create new criminal offences. They only change how existing laser-related rules from the Canadian Aviation Regulations can be enforced in jurisdictions using the federal ticketing regime.