Item - 2015.EX5.19
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on May 5, 2015 with amendments.
- This item was considered by the Executive Committee on April 22, 2015 and adopted without amendment. It will be considered by City Council on May 5, 2015.
EX5.19 - Safety in the Air - Governing Drones in Toronto's Outdoor Spaces
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on May 5, 6 and 7, 2015, adopted the following:
1. City Council direct the Executive Director, Municipal, Licensing and Standards, in consultation with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to report back to City Council by September 2015 with a strategy governing the use of drones in the City of Toronto's outdoor spaces that would include but not be restricted to:
a. any current policies that can be leveraged to ensure the safety of Toronto's airspace;
b. any safety concerns or potential liability issues the City could face due to the use of drones on City of Toronto property;
c. investigating the need for possible restrictions on the use of drones and photography above City of Toronto outdoor recreation and park facilities;
d. the potential to permit the use of drones in designated spaces; and
e. restrictions on the types and/or models of drones that can be operated in the City of Toronto.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-78847.pdf
Motions (City Council)
That City Council amend Recommendation 1 by inserting the words "in consultation with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture" so that it now reads as follows:
1. City Council direct the Executive Director, Municipal, Licensing and Standards, in consultation with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to report back to City Council by September 2015 with a strategy governing the use of drones in the City of Toronto's outdoor spaces that would include but not be restricted to:
a. any current policies that can be leveraged to ensure the safety of Toronto's airspace;
b. any safety concerns or potential liability issues the City could face due to the use of drones on City of Toronto property;
c. investigating the need for possible restrictions on the use of drones and photography above City of Toronto outdoor recreation and park facilities;
d. the potential to permit the use of drones in designated spaces; and
e. restrictions on the types and/or models of drones that can be operated in the City of Toronto.
EX5.19 - Safety in the Air - Governing Drones in Toronto's Outdoor Spaces
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Executive Committee recommends that:
1. City Council direct the Executive Director, Municipal, Licensing and Standards to report back to City Council by September 2015 with a strategy governing the use of drones in the City of Toronto's outdoor spaces that would include but not be restricted to:
a. any current policies that can be leveraged to ensure the safety of Toronto's airspace;
b. any safety concerns or potential liability issues the City could face due to the use of drones on City of Toronto property;
c. investigating the need for possible restrictions on the use of drones and photography above City of Toronto outdoor recreation and park facilities;
d. the potential to permit the use of drones in designated spaces; and
e. restrictions on the types and/or models of drones that can be operated in the City of Toronto.
Origin
Summary
City Council on March 31, and April 1 and 2, 2015, referred Motion MM5.11 to the Executive Committee.
There is an increasing number of personal unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), commonly known as a drones, being used by members of the public for recreation and commercial purposes. This has led to several recent high profile incidents of drones being flown in restricted or private airspace including a drone crashing on to the White House Lawn in January 2015. A drone near Pearson International Airport forced a pilot to change a plane's landing path.
Transport Canada allows drones less than 35kg to be flown for personal use but recommends that drones be flown during daylight, in good weather and not near airports, in populated areas, near moving vehicles or higher than 90 metres. Using drones for commercial or research purposes requires meeting a number of requirements and in some cases, receiving explicit permission.
The City of Toronto is responsible for an enormous amount of outdoor spaces including road, sidewalks, parks and recreation facilities such as soccer fields, rinks, basketball courts and golf courses. City Council is seeking clarity for the use of drones over City of Toronto outdoor spaces.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-78847.pdf