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Transport Minister Marc Garneau has announced a new measure to ban high-powered lasers in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.
"I take very seriously the increased risk to aviation safety and to people on the ground caused by lasers. That is why I am proceeding with these new safety measures which take effect immediately—to enhance the safety of aviation and the public while we work to bring into force permanent regulations," says Garneau in a press release.
The new rule bans anyone from having a battery-operated hand-held laser over 1 milliwatt (mW) outside of their home without a legitimate purpose, such as for work, school, or education.
The ban applies to Canada's three major cities and to a 10-kilometre radius around any airport or certified heliport across the country.
Individuals that violate the ban can be fined $5,000 and corporations can face a fine of $25,000. Anyone convicted of intentionally shining a laser into an aircraft cockpit could face up to $100,000 in fines, five years in prison or both.
"We encourage the public to report to the police, or anonymously to Crime Stoppers, anyone that puts at risk any aircraft, its passengers and crew by committing this senseless act," says David Forster, president of Canadian Crime Stoppers Association.
There were 379 reports of laser attacks in Canadian airspace in 2017.
